earlier

/ˈərliər/

/ˈəliə/

Definitions of earlier
  1. 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
    at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
  2. adverb
    earlier in time; previously
    “her parents had died four years earlier”
    “I mentioned that problem earlier”
    synonyms: before
  3. adverb
    comparatives of `soon' or `early'
    “came earlier than I expected”
    synonyms: sooner
  4. adverb
    before now
    synonyms: in the beginning, in the first place, originally, to begin with
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