early

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

Floods in northern India, mostly in the small state of Uttarakhand, have wrought disaster on an enormous scale. The early, intense onset of the monsoon on June 14th swelled rivers, washing away roads, bridges, hotels and even whole villages. Rock-filled torrents smashed vehicles and homes, burying victims under rubble and sludge.

Arriving a time before expected; sooner than on time.

You're early today! I don't usually see you before nine o'clock.

The early guests sipped their punch and avoided each other's eyes.

After but close to the start of a period of time.

The play "Two Gentlemen of Verona" is one of Shakespeare's early works.

Early results showed their winning 245 out of 300 seats in parliament. The main opponent locked up only 31 seats.

In the starting hours of the day.

It's too early for this sort of thing. I'm not awake yet.

Having begun to occur; in its early stages.

early cancer

A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place early in the day.

On my first day on the watch after leaving the shoplifting squad I paraded on earlies but had completely forgotten to take my ear ring off.

At a time before expected; sooner than usual.

We finished the project an hour sooner than scheduled, so we left early.

I had children too early (in life), so my first baby arrived early.

Soon; in good time; seasonably.

[T]thoſe that ſeeke me early, ſhall find me.

You must wake and call me early, call me early, mother dear; / Tomorrow 'ill be the happiest time of all the blythe Newyear; […]