early
|ear-ly|
A1
🇺🇸
/ˈɜrli/
🇬🇧
/ˈɜːli/
before expected time
Etymology
Etymology Information
'early' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'ǣrlice', where 'ǣr' meant 'before' or 'soon'.
Historical Evolution
'ǣrlice' changed from Old English to Middle English as 'erly', and eventually became the modern English word 'early'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'before the usual time', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
happening or done before the usual or expected time.
She arrived early for the meeting.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adverb 1
before the usual or expected time.
He woke up early in the morning.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35