early

== English == === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɜːli/ (General American, Canada) IPA(key): /ˈɝli/, /ɚ̞li/ Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)li Hyphenation: ear‧ly Homophone: Earley === Etymology 1 === From Middle English erly, erlich, earlich, from Old English ǣrlīċ (“early”, adjective), equivalent to ere +‎ -ly. ==== Adjective ==== early (comparative earlier, superlative earliest) At a time in advance of the usual or expected event. Arriving a time before expected; sooner than on time. After but close to the start of a period of time. In the starting hours of the day. Having begun to occur; in its early stages. (astronomy) Of a star or class of stars, hotter than the sun. Antonym: late ===== Synonyms ===== (at a time in advance of the usual): premature (near but after the start): first (ripening before other): new ===== Antonyms ===== (at a time in advance of the usual): late (illness: having begun to occur): terminal ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ==== Noun ==== early (plural earlies) (informal) A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place early in the day. ===== Antonyms ===== late === Etymology 2 === From Middle English erly, orely, arely, erliche, arliche, from Old English ǣrlīċe, ārlīċe (“early; early in the morning”, adverb), equivalent to ere +‎ -ly. Cognate with Old Norse árliga, árla ( > Danish årle, Swedish arla, Norwegian årle, Faroese árla). ==== Adverb ==== early (comparative earlier, superlative earliest) At a time before expected; sooner than usual. Soon; in good time; seasonably. ===== Synonyms ===== prematurely ===== Antonyms ===== late, tardily ===== Derived terms ===== bright and early Christmas come early ===== Translations ===== === Anagrams === Arely, Arley, Layer, Leary, Raley, Rayle, layer, leary, re-lay, relay