comparative and superlative of `early' More early than; most early:
— A fashion popular in earlier times.
— His earlier work reflects the influence of his teacher.

synonym: earliest.

Earlier in time; previously:
— He called me the day before but your call had come even earlier.
— Her parents had died four years earlier.
— I mentioned that problem earlier.

synonym: before.

Roget 116: before, prior to; earlier; previously etc. adj.; afore^†, aforehand^†, beforehand, ere, theretofore, erewhile^†; ere then, ere now, before then, before now; erewhile^†, already, yet, beforehand; on the eve of.    ... show more

Comparatives of `soon' or `early':
— Came earlier than I expected.

synonym: sooner.

Before now.

synonyms: in the beginning, in the first place, originally, to begin with.

At or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time.

Roget 132: early, prime, forward; prompt etc. (active) 682; summary.    premature, precipitate, precocious; prevenient^†, anticipatory; rath^†.    sudden etc. (instantaneous) 113; unexpected etc. 508; near, near at hand; immediate.    ... show more

Polish: zalążkowy, inicjalny, początkowy

Being or occurring at an early stage of development.

Belonging to the distant past:
— The early inhabitants of Europe.

synonyms: former, other.

Very young.

Of an early stage in the development of a language or literature.

Expected in the near future.

During an early stage:
— Early on in her career.

synonym: early on.

Before the usual time or the time expected:
— She graduated early.

synonyms: ahead of time, too soon.

In good time.

synonym: betimes.

Roget 132: early, soon, anon, betimes, rath^†; eft, eftsoons; ere long, before long, shortly; beforehand; prematurely etc. adj.; precipitately etc. (hastily) 684; too soon; before its time, before one's time; in anticipation; unexpectedly etc. 508.    suddenly etc. (instantaneously) 113; before one can say 'Jack Robinson'," at short notice, extempore; on the spur of the moment, on the spur of the occasion [Bacon]; at once; on the spot, on the instant; at sight; offhand, out of hand; a' vue d'oeil [Fr.]; straight, straightway, straightforth^†; forthwith, incontinently, summarily, immediately, briefly, shortly, quickly, speedily, apace, before the ink is dry, almost immediately, presently at the first opportunity, in no long time, by and by, in a while, directly.    ... show more