“earlier”

Definitions

• adjective

  (comparative and superlative of ‘early’) more early than; most early

  Synonyms: earliest, aforetime, already, antecedent, anterior, anticipatory, before, beforehand, beforetime, down, early, elder

  • Example:“a fashion popular in earlier times”
  • Example:“His earlier work reflects the influence of his teacher.”

• adverb

  earlier in time; previously

  Synonyms: before

  • Example:“I had known her before.”
  • Example:“As I said before.”

• adverb

  comparatives of ‘soon’ or ‘early’

  Synonyms: sooner

  • Example:“Come a little sooner, if you can.”
  • Example:“… came earlier than I expected”

• adverb

  before now

  Synonyms: in the first place, in the beginning, to begin with, originally

  • Example:“Why didn't you tell me in the first place?”