Earlier
ˈɜːrliər
Definitions
2 meaningsAt or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events.
ˈɜːrliər
At a time before the present or a specified time.
I woke up earlier than usual this morning.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a movie to watch at 7 PM. If you watch the previews at 6:30 PM, then that's 'earlier' than 7 PM!
👶 For kids: Happening before the current time.
More Examples
The meeting started earlier than scheduled.
She left for work earlier today.
How It's Used
"I arrived earlier than expected."
"We need to start the project earlier to meet the deadline."
Occurring or being done before something else.
ˈɜːrliər
Relating to a time or period that is before the present.
The earlier version of the software had some bugs.
💡 Simply: Remember that time you tried making cookies? If the first batch was ready before the second, then the first batch was 'earlier'!
👶 For kids: Happening or existing before something else.
More Examples
We discussed the earlier proposal during the meeting.
He preferred the earlier model of the car.
How It's Used
"The earlier civilizations had different social structures."
"My earlier attempts were unsuccessful."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
From Old English *ær* (before) + -lier (comparative suffix). Ultimately from Proto-Germanic *airiz (early).
The word has existed since the Old English period, demonstrating its long history of use to describe a point in time before another.
Memory tip
Think of 'earlier' as a point on a timeline that's closer to the beginning.
Word Origin
"before, soon"