earlier

earlier
adjective
(comparative and superlative of `early') more early than; most early
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a fashion popular in earlier times

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his earlier work reflects the influence of his teacher

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Verdi's earliest and most raucous opera

Syn: ↑earliest
Similar to: ↑early
Usage Domain: ↑comparative, ↑comparative degree
adverb
1. earlier in time; previously (Freq. 18)
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I had known her before

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as I said before

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he called me the day before but your call had come even earlier

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her parents had died four years earlier

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I mentioned that problem earlier

Syn: ↑before
2. comparatives of `soon' or `early' (Freq. 7)
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Come a little sooner, if you can

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came earlier than I expected

Syn: ↑sooner
3. before now (Freq. 1)
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why didn't you tell me in the first place?

Syn: ↑in the first place, ↑in the beginning, ↑to begin with, ↑originally

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • earlier — adj. occurring at a prior time; as, on earlier occasions. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • earlier — index antecedent, back (in arrears), before mentioned, former, heretofore, last (preceding) …   Law dictionary

  • earlier — [[t]ɜ͟ː(r)liə(r)[/t]] ♦♦ 1) Earlier is the comparative of early. 2) ADV COMPAR: ADV with v, ADV with cl, oft amount ADV Earlier is used to refer to a point or period in time before the present or before the one you are talking about. As mentioned …   English dictionary

  • earlier — ear|li|er1 [ ɜrliər ] adverb *** used for referring to a time before the present or before the time you are talking about: A few days earlier, he had assured me that he didn t want to come. earlier ear|li|er 2 [ ɜrliər ] adjective ** happening… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • earlier — I UK [ˈɜː(r)lɪə(r)] / US [ˈɜrlɪər] adverb *** at a time before the present or before the time you are talking about A few days earlier, he had assured me that he didn t want to come. II UK [ˈɜː(r)lɪə(r)] / US [ˈɜrlɪər] adjective ** happening… …   English dictionary

  • earlier — [ˈɜːliə] adv 1) used for referring to a time before the present or before the time that you are talking about A few days earlier, he had been in London.[/ex] earlier adj 2) an earlier period in history[/ex] …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

  • Earlier — Early Ear ly, a. [Compar. {Earlier} ([ e]r l[i^]*[ e]r); superl. {Earliest}.] [OE. earlich. [root]204. See {Early}, adv.] 1. In advance of the usual or appointed time; in good season; prior in time; among or near the first; opposed to {late}; as …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • earlier — 1. adjective occurring previously I shall be late because I missed the earlier train. 2. adverb previously; before now; sooner I shall be late because I didnt start earlier …   Wiktionary

  • earlier on — ► early (or earlier) on at an early (or earlier) stage. Main Entry: ↑early …   English terms dictionary

  • earlier on — adverb : previously, before I told you yes earlier on * * * earlier on Previously • • • Main Entry: ↑early …   Useful english dictionary

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