Meaning of 'early'

adverb

before the usual time or the time expected

Example: "They graduated early."

Synonyms: ahead of time too soon

adverb

in good time

Synonyms: betimes

adverb

during an early stage

Example: "It happened early on in my career."

Synonyms: early on

adjective

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

Example: "early morning"

adjective

being or occurring at an early stage of development

Example: "in an early stage"

adjective

of an early stage in the development of a language or literature

adjective

very young

Example: "at an early age"

adjective

expected in the near future

Example: "look for an early end to the negotiations"

adjective

belonging to the distant past

Synonyms: former