Definitions:

1. At or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual expected time. ADJECTIVE
   • It happened early on in my career.
2. Being or occurring at an early stage of development. ADJECTIVE
   • The early stages of the project are crucial for its success.
3. Indicates something happening at the beginning of a sequence or earlier than others. ADJECTIVE
   • She was one of the early adopters of the new technology.
4. Indicating that something happens sooner than expected or before a particular stage is reached. ADVERB
   • The baby was born a few weeks early.
5. Referring to actions done ahead of an event or deadline. ADVERB
   • He finished his work early and decided to take a short break.
6. Used to describe something happening or done before the useal or expected time. ADJECTIVE
   • She likes to get up early in the morning to exercise.

Synonyms:

• ahead of time
• initial
• preceding
• premature

NearBy Words:

• early
• early-blooming
• early-flowering
• earlyish