Laxi Dictionary

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Definition early in British English

early adjective

adjective
/ˈɜː(r)li/
1

near the beginning of a period of time

Example

In the early 1980s, several thousand jobs were lost.

Example

The temperature drops to below freezing in the early evening.

Example

The plants flower in early spring.

Synonyms and related words
original initial early
1.1

used about periods in someone's life

Example

From an early age, Chaplin believed in his talents.

Example

memories of my early childhood

Example

Julia is in her early thirties.

Synonyms and related words
adolescence a misspent youth babyish
1.2

used about the first part of an activity, process, or event

Example

The project is still in its very early stages.

Example

It is too early to predict whether the unemployment rate has peaked.

Example

We didn't think much about the environment in those early days.

Synonyms and related words
original initial early
1.3

used about periods of history

Example

in the early Middle Ages

Synonyms and related words
historical early date back to
2

before the time that something usually happens

Example

Spring was unusually early that year.

Example

Let's have an early lunch and then go to the cinema.

Example

Is it too early to phone them?

Synonyms and related words
before first early
2.1

before the time that something is expected or arranged to happen

Example

My train was ten minutes early.

Example

You're a little early for the party.

Synonyms and related words
before first early
3

used about the first people or things of a particular type

Example

The early settlers used to heat their cabins with coal.

Example

early editions of the novel

Synonyms and related words
original initial early
4

early crops or flowers are ready to be picked before others of the same type

Example

early peaches/roses

Synonyms and related words
algal androgynous aquatic
Definition early in British English