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⏰ Before now 📚 Before something else
earlier

earlier

401 1.0
Happening before something else in time
  • adjective
  • /ˈɜrliər/
: anterior
  • WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BITCOIN WHITE PAPER, IT MADE REFERENCE TO A LOT OF THE EARLIER PROJECTS THAT FED INTO BITCOIN.

Or we're asking about this earlier shape, gestalt.

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Examples

  • We covered that previously in an earlier lecture note.

  • You have to get here earlier, a lot earlier.

  • So you need to start that process much earlier than you think.

  • So this is a slightly earlier version of of Big Dog.

  • The first was earlier in the summer and it passed.

    The Rich Dad Channel

  • And that in some ways is a departure from your earlier printmaking self.

    Harvard University

  • I'm, I'm planning on going earlier and bringing my wellies.

  • WHY DIDN'T YOU TAKE AN EARLIER TRAIN?

    Falling in Love (1984)

  • I arrived at the meeting earlier than scheduled to prepare my notes.

  • She submitted her application earlier this month to increase her chances.

Synonyms

early
vsearlier
∞ 1.0

Before the usual or expected time

refers to a time that is before another specific time
sooner
vsearlier
939 1.0

Happens at an earlier time than expected

does not imply greater speed and only means happening before scheduled time
prior
vsearlier
768 2.9

Happening before something else in time

is used for being before a usual or expected time
beforehand
vsearlier
96 2.7

Earlier than a planned time or event

relates to happening before a usual or expected time rather than before one event
ahead of time
vsearlier
82 2.3

Earlier than planned or expected

expresses the general idea of happening before a usual time or another event
preceding
vsearlier
36 3.2

Coming before something in time or order

is also used for happening before a usual or expected time
earlyish
vsearlier
  • Informal
1 5.2

A little before the usual time

means clearly before another time or the usual time not just approximate

Antonyms

later
321 1.0

Happening after something else in time

How Early

earliest
32 1.0
earlier
401 1.0
early
∞ 1.0
on time
426 1.0
later
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

earlier comparative
early positive

Morphology

earlier = early (transparent) = early + er

Clear comparative derivation from the adjective 'early' using the productive suffix '-er'.

Etymology

The adjective earlier is the comparative form of early and uses the -er ending to show 'more' of the idea 'before', so something earlier happens before another thing or before the usual time.