earliest Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. adjective satellite (comparative and superlative of `early') more early than; most early
   earlier.
   
   • a fashion popular in earlier times
   • his earlier work reflects the influence of his teacher
   • Verdi's earliest and most raucous opera
2. adjective at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
   early.
   
   • early morning
   • an early warning
   • early diagnosis
   • an early death
   • took early retirement
   • an early spring
   • early varieties of peas and tomatoes mature before most standard varieties
3. adjective being or occurring at an early stage of development
   early.
   
   • in an early stage
   • early forms of life
   • early man
   • an early computer
4. adjective satellite belonging to the distant past
   early; other; former.
   
   • the early inhabitants of Europe
   • former generations
   • in other times
5. adjective satellite very young
   early.
   
   • at an early age
6. adjective of an early stage in the development of a language or literature
   early.
   
   • the Early Hebrew alphabetical script is that used mainly from the 11th to the 6th centuries B.C.
   • Early Modern English is represented in documents printed from 1476 to 1700
7. adjective satellite expected in the near future
   early.
   
   • look for an early end to the negotiations
8. adverb with the least delay
   soonest.
   
   • the soonest I can arrive is 3 P.M.

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