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I UK [ˈɜː(r)lɪ] / US [ˈɜrlɪ] adjective
Word forms "early":
adjective early comparative earlier superlative earliest

1) [usually before noun] near the beginning of a period of time

In the early 1980s, several thousand jobs were lost.

The temperature drops to below freezing in the early evening.

The plants flower in early spring.

a) used about periods in someone's life

From an early age, Chaplin believed in his talents.

memories of my early childhood

Julia is in her early thirties.

b) used about the first part of an activity, process, or event

The project is still in its very early stages.

It is too early to predict whether the unemployment rate has peaked.

in the early days (= soon after something began):

We didn't think much about the environment in those early days.

c) used about periods of history

in the early Middle Ages

2)

a) before the time that something usually happens

Spring was unusually early that year.

Let's have an early lunch and then go to the cinema.

Is it too early to phone them?

b) before the time that something is expected or arranged to happen

My train was ten minutes early.

early for:

You're a little early for the party.

3) used about the first people or things of a particular type

The early settlers used to heat their cabins with coal.

early editions of the novel

4) early crops or flowers are ready to be picked before others of the same type

early peaches/roses

•

- the early hours

- an early start

- it's early days

See:

the earliest, night I, opportunity

II UK [ˈɜː(r)lɪ] / US [ˈɜrlɪ] adverb
Word forms "early":
comparative earlier superlative earliest

1) before the usual or expected time

I don't get up very early.

The flight arrived ten minutes early.

2) near the beginning of a period of time

Let's meet again early next week.

early in:

These simple plants appeared very early in the history of life on Earth.

a) near the beginning of someone's life

His genius as a musician was shown very early.

early in:

She was widowed very early in life.

b) near the beginning of an event or activity

early in:

It's best not to rush things this early in your career.

3) near the beginning of a piece of writing

early in:

This point was discussed earlier in the chapter.

4) soon enough to avoid problems

If we begin the treatment early, we have a better chance of success.

•

- as early as

- early on