earlier

CEFRA2

/ˈɝliɚ/

adverb · adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adverb

    Before the present time or before another time.

  2. 02

    adverb

    Extra detail

    occurring previously

Examples

  • It is regrettable that you did not start earlier.

  • It's exciting to discover traces of earlier civilizations.

At a glance

Sits at A2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
4
Parts of speech
2
Citations
2

Also pronounced

  • /ˈɜː.lɪə/

Deep Dive

adverb

Extra meaning

  1. previously; before now; sooner

adjective

Extra meaning

  1. comparative form of early: more early

More examples

In context

  • You should have come earlier.

  • I shall be late because I missed the earlier train.

  • From what I vaguely saw earlier this morning, when I had just woken up and was tidying my bed, a tall, bulky person left an unfamiliar box at my front door.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

She finished her chores blank than I did, so she relaxed first.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby