American English

How to pronounce early

adjective · adverbA2Very common word

ERlee

/ˈɚ.li/

2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.

Happening or arriving before the usual or planned time.

Meanings & examples

adjective

Happening or arriving before the usual or planned time.

I was early for my appointment.

We had an early start.

Common phrases & grammar

early morning · early start · early arrival

be + early

an + early + noun

adjective

Near the beginning of a period, process, or development.

The project is still in its early stages.

This is an early version of the software.

Common phrases & grammar

early stages

early + noun

the + early + part + of + noun

adverb

Before the usual or planned time.

She arrived early for work.

I got up early today.

Common phrases & grammar

arrive + early

get up + early

adverb

Near the beginning of a period, event, or process.

We noticed the mistake early in the process.

It gets cold early in the evening.

Common phrases & grammar

early + in + the + day

early + in + the + process

At an early stage or near the beginning.

We found the problem early on.

A person who gets up early or likes to do things early.

I'm an early bird, so I start work at six.

The y changes to i before -er and -est: earlier, earliest.