early
adverb
in or during the first part of a period of time, a course of action, a series of events, etc..
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The earliest date a hearing can take place, he said, will be after the Fed's policy meeting scheduled for December 8-9.
From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026
Zverev cannot overtake Sinner until 2 November at the earliest.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026
It now expects a listing by fiscal 2027 at the earliest.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
During the 1950s and 60s, Sir Paul lived with his family at 20 Forthlin Road in Allerton, Liverpool, and composed some of the earliest Beatles' tracks with John Lennon there.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
Pythagoras, the Greek scholar—half scientist, half mystic—who lived in Croton around 530 BC, proposed one of the earliest and most widely accepted theories to explain the similarity between parents and their children.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
