/ˈɜːli/
Translation
Happening near the start of a time, or before the usual time.
Word origin
Comes from the Old English word aerlice, built from aer, meaning before.
- Origin
- Old English
- Root
- aerlice
Examples
.
"Early" shows it was near the start of the day.
.
Here "early" means she arrived before the usual time.
.
"Early" shows we are near the start of the year.
"Early" means near the start of something, or before the time most people expect. The early morning is the first part of the day. If you arrive early, you come before you need to. The opposite is "late".
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(9)A Day at the Farm
3 min read · Core 1000
The First Day at Work
3 min read · Core 1000
Market Morning
3 min read · Core 1000
The Journey
3 min read · Core 1000
The Boat in the Garden
4 min read · Core 5000
The Midnight Piano
5 min read · Core 5000
The Register
5 min read · Core 5000
The Swimming Lesson
5 min read · Core 5000
The Tuesday Visitor
5 min read · Core 5000
Grammar articles
(17)Advanced articles in English: the zero article, the with names and places, and go to school vs go to the school
As vs like in English: swims like a fish, works as a waiter, and the truth about like I said
Countable and uncountable nouns in English: advice, information, news and the ones you simply have to learn
Dummy subjects in English: it's raining, there's a problem, and why the subject slot is never empty
English Greetings and Survival Phrases: Say Something Today
Hedging and vague language in English: sort of, a bit, -ish, stuff and or so
Indirect questions in English: Could you tell me where the station is, and the word order that goes with it
Inversion and word order in English: the subject-verb-object spine and when it flips
Modal verbs in English: rules, examples and how to use them
Past simple tense: rules, examples and when to use it
Phrasal verbs in English: what they are, meanings, rules and examples
Prepositions in English: place, time and movement explained
Question tags in English: the mirror rule, aren't I, and tags after let's and imperatives
Reporting verbs in English: admit, deny, suggest, promise, and the pattern welded to each one
Separable and inseparable phrasal verbs: the rules that matter
Used to, would and be used to: talking about past habits and states in English
Verb patterns with objects in English: want somebody to do, make somebody do, and see somebody doing
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early: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the English word "early" (Happening near the start of a time, or before the usual time.): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 10.