EARLIER

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does earlier mean? 

• EARLIER (adjective)
  The adjective EARLIER has 1 sense:

1. (comparative and superlative of 'early') more early than; most early

  Familiarity information: EARLIER used as an adjective is very rare.

• EARLIER (adverb)
  The adverb EARLIER has 3 senses:

1. earlier in time; previously

2. comparatives of 'soon' or 'early'

3. before now

  Familiarity information: EARLIER used as an adverb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EARLIER (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(comparative and superlative of 'early') more early than; most early

Synonyms:

earlier; earliest

Context example:

Verdi's earliest and most raucous opera

Similar:

early (at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time)

Domain usage:

comparative; comparative degree (the comparative form of an adjective or adverb)

• EARLIER (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Earlier in time; previously

Synonyms:

before; earlier

Context example:

I mentioned that problem earlier

Sense 2

Meaning:

Comparatives of 'soon' or 'early'

Synonyms:

earlier; sooner

Context example:

came earlier than I expected

Sense 3

Meaning:

Before now

Synonyms:

earlier; in the beginning; in the first place; originally; to begin with

Context example:

why didn't you tell me in the first place?

 Context examples 

These slips were printed in stereotyped forms and he had received hundreds of them—as many as a dozen or more on each of his earlier manuscripts.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

"We suspect that Naiad was kicked into its tilted orbit by an earlier interaction with one of Neptune's other inner moons," Brozovic said.

(NASA Finds Neptune Moons Locked in 'Dance of Avoidance', NASA)

The authors conclude that their results support earlier studies linking acetaminophen exposure in the womb with ADHD and ASD and underscore the need for additional research.

(Acetaminophen exposure in pregnancy linked to higher risk of ADHD, autism, National Institutes of Health)

The tragedy, then, occurred on Wednesday or Tuesday or earlier.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“However, this does suggest that we need to identify these problems at an earlier stage than is currently the case.”

(Mild-to-moderate hearing loss in children leads to changes in how brain processes sound, University of Cambridge)

This increased antipredator behaviour has been maintained on islands where invasive predators have been successfully eradicated, even though eradication happened eight and thirteen years earlier.

(A decade after the predators have gone, Galapagos Island finches are still being spooked, University of Cambridge)

In the midst of all this happiness, and when I looked upon myself to be fully settled for life, my master sent for me one morning a little earlier than his usual hour.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

In an earlier study, Stanford neuro-oncologist Michelle Monje.

(Scientists find promising drug combination against lethal childhood brain cancers, National Institutes of Health)

Fool that I was not to allow for that earlier train!

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Lord Godalming and Mr. Morris arrived earlier than we expected.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)