early*/*/*/

[ˈɜːli] adj I

1) near the beginning of a period of time

Ant:

late

the early 19th century[/ex]

Julia is in her early thirties.[/ex]

It's too early to say what will happen.[/ex]

2) before the time that something usually happens or is expected to happen

Ant:

late

Spring was early that year.[/ex]

My train was ten minutes early.[/ex]

I think I'll have an early night (= go to bed earlier than usual).[/ex]

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

The early settlers used to heat their cabins with coal.[/ex]

•

the early hours — the period of time between midnight and the very early morning[/ex]

it's early days — spoken used for saying that it is too soon to know whether someone or something will be successful[/ex]

See:

earliest

II

adv

early */*/*/[ˈɜːli]

1) before the usual or expected time

Ant:

late

I don't get up very early.[/ex]

The flight arrived ten minutes early.[/ex]

2) near the beginning of a period of time

Ant:

late

Let's meet again early next week.[/ex]

He showed great musical talent very early in life.[/ex]

3) near the beginning of a piece of writing

Ant:

late

This point was discussed earlier in the chapter.[/ex]

4) soon enough to avoid problems

If we begin treatment early, we have a better chance of success.[/ex]