Definitions:

1. Describes something that occurred before the present time or before another specified time. ADJECTIVE
   • I caught the earlier train to avoid the morning rush.
2. Indicated the action of occurring or being done before a certain time. ADVERB
   • She arrived earlier than expected.

Synonyms:

• ahead
• ahead of time
• antecedently
• before
• beforehand
• earlier on
• earliest
• previously
• prior
• sooner