Cool MateEarly
UK /["/ˈɜːli/"]/US /["/ˈɜːrli/"]/
Definition
near the beginning of a period of time, an event etc.
In simple words: before the usual time
Examples
- I like to wake up early in the morning.
- The early bird gets the worm.
- She arrived early to the meeting to prepare.
- It's too early to go to bed.
- The flowers bloom early in the spring.
Usage notes
Use 'early' to describe time, such as arriving before expected. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, but avoid using it in very strict timings.
Grammar pattern
early + adverb or adjective
Memory hint
Think of 'early bird' — birds wake up early in the morning.
Collocations
- be
- feel
- seem
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- for
- in
- be
- feel
- seem
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- for
- in
Synonyms
- premature
- prompt
- ahead of time
- preceding
- advancing
Antonyms
- late
- tardy
Common mistakes
- Confusing 'early' with 'earlier' which is comparative.
- Using 'early' in the wrong context, like describing something that is not time-related.