early
Happening before the normal or planned time.
Occurring or done before the usual, expected, or planned time.
Before the normal or planned time.
Before the usual, expected, or planned time.
Happening near the start of a time or event.
Occurring near the beginning of a period of time, process, or development.
At the first stage of growth or progress.
At or belonging to an initial stage in growth, progress, or development.
- Base: early
- Comparative: earlier
- Superlative: earliest
at the earliest opportunity
1As soon as possible after event
As soon as you can after something happens.
- Please reply at the earliest opportunity.
- We will contact you at the earliest opportunity.
early on
1At an initial stage/time
At the beginning of something.
- We realized early on that this would be difficult.
- She showed talent early on in her career.
in the early days
1During first period of existence/development
In the first period of something’s life or growth.
- In the early days of the internet, few people had email.
- The company faced many challenges in the early days.
bright and early
1very early in the morning
Happening early in the morning, usually with energy or readiness.
- We’ll leave bright and early tomorrow morning.
- She arrived at the office bright and early to prepare for the meeting.
bright and early
2Very early in morning
Very early in the morning.
- We set off bright and early to beat the traffic.
- He likes to get up bright and early for a run.