easy
We arrived early for the game.
What does Early mean?
Early means before the expected time.
Dictionary definition
Happening before the usual or expected time.
Example sentences
Early in a sentence
medium
The early bus came before sunrise.
hard
An early start gave the team more time to finish.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Early
Answer two quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 2
Practice 1
Which word is an antonym of early?
Late is an opposite because it means after the expected time.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to early?
Soon is close in meaning to early in this dictionary entry.
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Early
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Sounds like
er · lee · strongest beat: er
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordEarly.
Partadjective, adverb.
MeaningEarly means before the expected time.
ExampleExample: We arrived early for the game.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- er · lee
- Strongest beat
- er
- Ending
- lee
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on er.
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Synonyms
Words like Early
soonUse for something happening after a short time.
beforehandUse for something done ahead of time.
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice early synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "We were early, so the doors were still locked," then compare close word choices. Practice early synonyms.
Word family
Early word family
Base word
early
adjective
earlier
More early.
adjective
earliest
Most early.
noun
earliness
The state of being early.
Related words
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