early

Reading level: easy

Estimated CEFR level: A1 — Beginner

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

adjective at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
adjective being or occurring at an early stage of development
adjective belonging to the distant past

From Middle English erly, erlich, earlich, from Old English ǣrlīċ (“early”, adjective), equivalent to ere + -ly.

"Ten will be early enough." — The Lock and Key Library: Classic Mystery and Detective Stories: Modern English, Unknown
He died early THIS morning, remember. — The Works of Rudyard Kipling: One Volume Edition, Rudyard Kipling
This was earlier than I had intended. — Three men on the bummel, Jerome K. (Jerome Klapka) Jerome

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