Background for earliest

earliest

/ˈɜː.li.ɪst/ /ˈɝ.li.ɪst/

Illustration earliest - Image 1

adjective

At a time in advance of the usual or expected event.

Examples :

"at eleven, we went for an early lunch; she began reading at an early age; his mother suffered an early death"

Illustration earliest - Image 1

adjective

Arriving a time before expected; sooner than on time.

Examples :

"The earliest I can arrive at the meeting is 10:00 AM. "

Illustration earliest - Image 1

adjective

Near the start or beginning.

Examples :

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

Illustration earliest - Image 1

adjective

Having begun to occur; in its early stages.

Examples :

"early cancer"

Illustration earliest - Image 1

adjective

Of a star or class of stars, hotter than the sun.

Examples :

"Astronomers study the earliest stars to understand the universe's formation, as these hot, young stars burn with incredible intensity. "

astronomy physics

Illustration earliest - Image 1

adverb

At a time before expected; sooner than usual.

Examples :

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

Illustration earliest - Image 1

adverb

Soon; in good time; seasonably.

Examples :

"The project was due next week, so we started it earliest possible. "