Earlier is the comparative of early. Earlier is used to refer to a point or period in time before the present or before the one you are talking about. As mentioned earlier, the University supplements this information with an interview. Earlier, it had been hoped to use the indoor track.
earlier definition: sooner than another time. Check meanings, examples, usage tips, pronunciation, domains, and related words. Discover expressions like "earlier on", "the earlier the better", "year-earlier".
Definitions of earlier adjective (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” synonyms: earliest early
The word comes from the Old English term 'earlier,' which is related to the word 'ear' meaning 'before.' Originally, the term was used to describe time periods that were closer to the past, emphasizing their position relative to others.
Earlier refers to a point in time before the present or before the time under consideration. It could also mean preceding in rank, precedence, order, or importance.
The meaning of EARLY is near the beginning of a period of time. How to use early in a sentence.
comparative of early (Definition of earlier from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)
- before, previously For reasons mentioned earlier, I will not be able to attend. 2. adjective previous, former, past, prior, preceding Earlier reports of gunshots have not been confirmed.
Adjective earlier comparative form of early: more early occurring previously I shall be late because I missed the earlier train. I'd seen earlier (in the day).
occurring in the beginning:[before a noun] an early hour of the day. occurring before the usual or appointed time: an early dinner. occurring in the near future:[before a noun] I look forward to an early reply. Idioms early on, not long after the beginning. ear ly (ûr′ lē), adv., -li er, -li est, adj., -li er, -li est, n., pl. -lies.