earliest

Adjective

early (comparative earlier, superlative earliest)

1. At a time in advance of the usual or expected event.
   • at eleven, we went for an early lunch; she began reading at an early age; his mother suffered an early death

   Synonyms:

   premature

2. Arriving a time before expected; sooner than on time.
   • You're early today! I don't usually see you before nine o'clock.

   Synonyms:

   new

3. After but close to the start of a period of time.
   • The play "Two Gentlemen of Verona" is one of Shakespeare's early works.

   Synonyms:

   first

4. In the starting hours of the day.
   • It's too early for this sort of thing. I'm not awake yet.
5. Having begun to occur; in its early stages.
   • early cancer
6. Of a star or class of stars, hotter than the sun.

   Antonyms:

   late

See all 10 meanings of early