Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Early Meaning, Examples & Usage Guide (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：near the beginning of a period (early)

early 🔊

/ˈɜːrli/

adj., adv.

at the beginning part of a day or period of time.

Early morning alarm clock at 5:30 AM on nightstand

near the beginning of a period 🔊

➕

/nɪr ðə bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ əv ə ˈpɪriəd/

adj., adv.

Referring to the initial part of a day, season, or other time span, typically before the midpoint.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'ǣr' (early, soon) + '-līċ' (-ly), meaning 'occurring in the first part'.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine your 'ear' hearing the alarm clock - you wake up 'early' before the sun rises.

📖 Example

I love the peace and quiet of the early morning, before the city wakes up. 🔊 I love the peace and quiet of the early morning, before the city wakes up.

🔗 Collocations

early morning – the first part of the morning, typically before sunrise

early stage – the beginning phase of a process or development

early days – the initial period of something, when it is not yet established

🔄 Synonyms

initial (adj.) – existing or happening at the very beginning

first (adj.) – coming before all others in time or order

dawn (n.) – the first light of day; the beginning of a period

🚫 Antonyms

late (adj., adv.) – after the expected or usual time

final (adj.) – coming at the end of a series or process

🌱 Derivatives

earliness (n.) – the quality or state of being early

earlyish (adj.) – somewhat early

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Proto-Germanic *airiz, related to 'ere'. In modern culture, 'early bird' symbolism is used in business to describe proactive habits, and 'early adopter' is key in tech innovation.

Meaning 2：ahead of the scheduled time (early)

early 🔊

/ˈɜːrli/

adj., adv.

before the planned or usual time; ahead of schedule.

Person waiting early at train station checking watch

ahead of the scheduled time 🔊

➕

/əˈhɛd əv ðə ˈʃɛdjuːld taɪm/

adj., adv.

Happening or done before the expected, planned, or usual time, often resulting in spare time.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

She finished her project a week early, so she had extra time to relax before the deadline. 🔊 She finished her project a week early, so she had extra time to relax before the deadline.

🔗 Collocations

arrive early – to reach a place before the expected time

leave early – to depart before the usual or agreed time

early bird – a person who gets up or arrives early, especially to gain an advantage

🔄 Synonyms

premature (adj.) – occurring before the proper time; too early

untimely (adj.) – happening too early or before the expected time

beforehand (adv.) – in advance; earlier than expected

🚫 Antonyms

late (adj., adv.) – after the expected or scheduled time

overdue (adj.) – not having arrived, happened, or been done by the expected time

🌱 Derivatives

earlier (adj., adv.) – occurring or done before the present time or before the usual time

earliest (adj., adv.) – most early; closest to the beginning