earlier

earlier — adjective

1. used to describe something that happens, exists, or is done at a time before som

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

used to describe something that happens, exists, or is done at a time before something else — for example, an earlier train, an earlier attempt, or an earlier generation.

Example

Aarav caught an earlier train so he would not be late for the interview.

comparative adjective + noun: earlier train

The earlier version of the app had fewer features and more bugs.

Common collocations
  • earlier train
  • earlier version
  • earlier attempt
  • earlier date
  • earlier meeting
  • earlier generation
Synonyms
  • previous

    focuses on the one just before in a sequence, not necessarily at a time before something else

  • prior

    more formal, common in official or written contexts (prior arrangement, prior experience)

Antonyms
  • later

    the direct opposite in time comparison

Grammar Patterns

earlier + noun

earlier + than + noun phrase

Usage Note

Already contains the comparative meaning — do NOT add 'more'. 'More earlier' is a common error among learners. Use 'earlier' directly before the noun (an earlier meeting) or with 'than' (an earlier date than planned).

Common Mistakes

I took a more earlier flight.
I took an earlier flight.
'Earlier' is already comparative; adding 'more' is grammatically wrong.

earlier — adverb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All three words can refer to a time before now or before a reference point, but they differ in register and nuance. 'Before' is the most common and conversational choice — you use it in everyday speech (I have seen that film before). 'Previously' is more formal and common in written English, reports, and narratives (The company previously operated under a different name). 'Sooner' emphasises the size of the time gap rather than just the sequence (She finished sooner than anyone expected). In the 'earlier' sense, 'before' feels natural in short statements ('as I said before'), while 'previously' fits reports and academic texts ('as previously stated'). Use 'sooner' when the focus is on how much time was saved.

before ↗previously ↗sooner

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • much earlier
  • slightly earlier
  • a little earlier
  • far earlier

Phrases

  • earlier this year
  • earlier today
  • earlier in the week
  • earlier on

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Earlier' is the comparative form of 'early'. The word 'early' comes from Old English 'ǣr' meaning 'before' or 'soon', which is related to 'ēre' (ere, before). The comparative suffix '-ra' was added in Old English to form 'ǣrra', and later '-lier' was substituted as the language shifted. The modern spelling 'earlier' appears in the Middle English period.