earliest
/ˈɜː.li.ɪst/
adjective/ˈɜː.li.ɪst/
/ˈɝ.li.ɪst/
Meaning
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Meaning 1 · adjective
At a time in advance of the usual or expected event.
“at eleven, we went for an early lunch; she began reading at an early age; his mother suffered an early death”
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Meaning 2 · adjective
Arriving a time before expected; sooner than on time.
“The early guests sipped their punch and avoided each other's eyes.”
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Meaning 3 · adjective
Near the start or beginning.
“Early results showed their winning 245 out of 300 seats in parliament. The main opponent locked up only 31 seats.”
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Meaning 4 · adjective
Having begun to occur; in its early stages.
“early cancer”
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Meaning 5 · adjective
Of a star or class of stars, hotter than the sun.
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Meaning 6 · adverb
At a time before expected; sooner than usual.
“We finished the project an hour sooner than scheduled, so we left early.”
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Meaning 7 · adverb
Soon; in good time; seasonably.
How this word is used
- Everyday “at eleven, we went for an early lunch; she began reading at an early age; his mother suffered an early death”
- General “The early guests sipped their punch and avoided each other's eyes.”
- General “Early results showed their winning 245 out of 300 seats in parliament. The main opponent locked up only 31 seats.”
- General “early cancer”
- Everyday “We finished the project an hour sooner than scheduled, so we left early.”
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Origin
Origin information unavailable.