/ˈɜːli/

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Meaning

Happening near the start of a time, or before the usual time.

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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

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English · Free printables

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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This word is taught in chapter 5, lesson 11: early, king, picture and 6 more words.