earliest
- adverb
- /ˈɪrliest/
- She arrived at the earliest possible time.
So you know, I'm doing doing it you with me and whoever gets up the earliest wins.
- So you know, I'm doing doing it you with me and whoever gets up the earliest wins.
- OK, so got there super early.
Examples
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The earliest I can meet you is at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
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Please reply at your earliest convenience to confirm your availability.
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If you order now, the earliest delivery date is next Monday.
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The train leaves at the earliest hour.
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She arrived at the station the earliest of all her friends.
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I always try to submit my assignments earliest to avoid any last-minute rush.
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He made sure to wake up earliest so he could enjoy some quiet time before the day started.
Synonyms
Without any delay
As quickly as you can without delay
Antonyms
How Early
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Earliest comes from the word early plus the ending -est, which means 'most', so as an adverb it literally means 'at the most early time'. This is why earliest is used to say 'at the soonest possible time' or 'with the least delay'.