How Do You Spell EARLY?

Pronunciation: [ˈɜːlɪ] (IPA)

The word "early" is spelled with five letters: e-a-r-l-y. It is pronounced /ˈɜːrli/ or "ur-lee" in IPA phonetic transcription. The first sound is a short "er" vowel sound, followed by a silent "h" sound. The "l" and "y" sounds are then pronounced consecutively. This word can also be spelled as "earli" in certain dialects, but the pronunciation remains the same. "Early" is commonly used as an adjective to describe something that occurs before the usual or expected time.

EARLY Meaning and Definition

  1. Early is an adjective that describes something occurring or existing before the expected or usual time. It indicates a time period that is at or close to the beginning, or a stage that precedes another in a sequential order. Generally, the term "early" refers to the initial part of the day or the beginning of an event, but it can also be used more broadly to denote the initial stage of a process, action, or development.

    In relation to time, "early" refers to something happening before the usual or expected time frame. For example, an "early morning" means the time period in the beginning of the day, typically around sunrise. Similarly, an "early bird" refers to a person who wakes up and starts their activities earlier than others.

    Additionally, the term "early" can be used to describe the early stages of a process or development. It implies a foundation or basic state of a progression. For instance, in the context of childhood, the term "early years" refers to the initial growth and development stages of a child's life.

    Overall, "early" conveys the concept of something occurring or existing before the usual timeframe, whether it pertains to time, a stage of development, or the beginning of an event or process.

  2. • Prior in season or time; coming soon; before or in advance of others.
    • Soon; betimes.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for EARLY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for EARLY

Etymology of EARLY

The word "early" comes from the Old English word "ærlice", which means "soon, quickly, promptly". It is derived from the Old English word "ær", meaning "soon, betimes". The modern meaning of "early" as an adjective arose in Middle English.

Idioms with the word EARLY

  • early on The idiom "early on" is used to refer to the beginning stages or initial period of something. It indicates an early or prompt start of a process, event, or action.
  • send (someone) to an early grave The idiom "send (someone) to an early grave" means to cause someone's premature death, usually due to extreme stress, worry, or trouble caused by someone or something. It implies that the actions or circumstances one imposes on another can lead to their untimely demise.
  • bright and early The idiom "bright and early" means to wake up or start something very early in the morning. It suggests enthusiasm and energy in starting a task or activity as soon as possible after sunrise.
  • gotta get up pretty early in the morning to The idiom "gotta get up pretty early in the morning to" means that one must be incredibly diligent, prepared, or experienced in order to surpass or outsmart someone else. It implies that achieving a specific goal or overcoming an obstacle requires extraordinary effort, skill, or knowledge.
  • the small/early hours "The small/early hours" is an idiom used to refer to the hours during the late night or early morning, typically between midnight and dawn. It suggests a time when most people are asleep and the world is quiet or still.
  • an early bath The idiom "an early bath" refers to someone being removed or asked to leave a situation or activity prematurely, particularly in a negative or unwanted manner. It originates from the act of being sent home early from a bath before completing it, which is seen as an undesirable interruption.
  • drive (oneself) to an early grave The idiom "drive (oneself) to an early grave" means to work excessively or undertake enormous amounts of stress, which often leads to physical or mental exhaustion and ultimately, premature death. It suggests that someone is pushing themselves excessively and risking their well-being or health due to their high levels of work or stress.
  • dig (oneself) an early grave The idiom "dig (oneself) an early grave" means to engage in reckless or self-destructive behavior that is likely to have severe consequences or lead to one's downfall or demise, often referring to someone's actions or choices that are harmful to their own well-being or future success. It implies a metaphorical digging of one's own grave by making poor decisions or engaging in detrimental behavior that will have long-term negative effects.
  • early doors The idiom "early doors" typically refers to something happening or being done at an early stage or point in time. It can also be used to indicate that someone has achieved a notable or decisive advantage early on. This idiom is predominantly used in British English.
  • at an early date The idiom "at an early date" refers to a specific time in the future that is relatively close or soon, likely the near future. It indicates a timeline or timeframe when a particular event, action, or arrangement is expected to take place. It suggests prioritizing and completing something promptly or without much delay.
  • early days The idiom "early days" refers to the beginning or initial stages of something, typically implying that it is too soon to make sweeping judgments or conclusions about its outcome or progress.
  • it's early days (yet) The idiom "it's early days (yet)" means that it is still too soon to make reliable judgments or predictions about a situation because there hasn't been enough time for it to develop or progress. It suggests that it is premature to draw conclusions as the situation is still in its initial stages.
  • it's early in the day The idiom "it's early in the day" means that it is still early or too soon to draw conclusions, make judgments or predictions about a situation. It indicates that there is still a long way to go or more time required before any firm decisions can be made or outcomes can be determined.
  • early to bed and early to rise (makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise) The idiom "early to bed and early to rise (makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise)" means that waking up and going to bed early leads to success and well-being in various aspects of life. It implies that maintaining a disciplined routine and getting enough sleep can result in physical health, financial prosperity, and intellectual wisdom.
  • take an early bath The idiom "take an early bath" is used to describe someone's failure or defeat in a particular situation or endeavor. It means to experience a negative outcome or to be unsuccessful. The phrase is often used in sports, indicating that a team or player has been eliminated or lost the game early on.
  • drive (someone) to an early grave The idiom "drive (someone) to an early grave" means to cause extreme stress or anxiety to a person, leading to their premature death. It suggests that the person's actions, behavior, or circumstances have had such a detrimental impact on someone's health that it shortens their life expectancy significantly.
  • drive/send sb to an early grave The idiom "drive/send someone to an early grave" means that someone's behavior or actions are causing extreme stress, worry, or emotional strain on another person, ultimately shortening their life expectancy or leading to their premature death. It highlights the idea that the person's actions are so damaging that they are literally contributing to someone's untimely demise.
  • early grave The idiom "early grave" refers to a situation or behavior that is likely to lead to an untimely death or serious consequences. It implies engaging in actions or habits that could significantly impact one's health or well-being, potentially shortening their lifespan.
  • early to bed, early to rise (makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise) The idiom "early to bed, early to rise (makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise)" means that going to bed early and waking up early has various positive effects on a person's health, financial situations, and overall wisdom in life. It suggests that a disciplined and routine-oriented lifestyle leads to success and well-being.
  • the early bird catches the worm The idiom "the early bird catches the worm" means that being proactive and taking action early on can lead to success or advantages. It implies that those who take prompt action or get ahead of others have higher chances of achieving their goals or seizing opportunities.
  • it’s early days (yet) The idiom "it's early days (yet)" means that it is still too soon to draw conclusions or make judgments about something because the situation is at an early stage of development and more time is required to fully assess or determine the outcome.
  • it's early days The idiom "it's early days" means that it is still too soon to make a judgment or draw definitive conclusions about a situation or outcome. It implies that there is still a lot of time left for things to develop, change, or improve.
  • early bird catches the worm The idiom "early bird catches the worm" means that the person who takes action or starts work early will have an advantage over others. It emphasizes the benefits of being proactive and prepared in order to achieve success and seize opportunities.
  • have an early/a late night The idiom "have an early/a late night" refers to the amount of time a person spends awake and active during the night. "Having an early night" means going to bed or falling asleep early in the evening, usually before the usual bedtime. Conversely, "having a late night" means staying up or being active well past one's usual bedtime, often resulting in less sleep.
  • gotta get up pretty early in the morning to (do sth) The idiom "gotta get up pretty early in the morning to (do sth)" means that one must make significant effort or act in advance to accomplish something or gain an advantage. It suggests that the task or goal requires dedication, preparation, or expertise.
  • like turkeys voting for (an early) Christmas The idiom "like turkeys voting for (an early) Christmas" refers to a situation where someone or a group of people willingly make choices or decisions that ultimately lead to their own downfall or negative consequences. It implies a lack of foresight or awareness about the negative outcome of their actions, similar to turkeys unknowingly voting for an occasion (Christmas) when they are traditionally consumed.
  • an early bird The idiom "an early bird" refers to a person who wakes up or arrives at a place early, often implying that this person is diligent, forward-thinking, or punctual. This idiom is commonly used to describe individuals who begin their activities earlier than others.
  • early bird The idiom "early bird" refers to a person who wakes up, arrives, or starts their activities earlier than others. It typically implies that the person is punctual, proactive, or eager to get things done ahead of time.
  • dig (someone) an early grave The idiom "dig (someone) an early grave" is not a standard idiomatic expression. It seems to be a variation or combination of two different idioms: 1. "Dig (someone's) grave": This idiom refers to causing harm or leading to a negative outcome for someone, often as a result of one's actions or choices. 2. "Early grave": This expression refers to dying at a young or premature age. Combined, "dig (someone) an early grave" would suggest that someone's actions or choices are leading them towards a negative or disastrous outcome at a young or premature age.
  • have an early night The idiom "have an early night" means to go to bed or retire for the night at an earlier hour than usual. It implies intentionally or voluntarily choosing to end activities and get ample rest earlier than one typically would.
  • gotta get up pretty early in the morning to (do something) The idiom "gotta get up pretty early in the morning to (do something)" means that it requires considerable effort, dedication, or expertise to achieve a specific task or goal. It suggests that the task is challenging or demanding, and one must be proactive or ahead of others to accomplish it successfully.
  • Early ripe, early rotten,
  • early beams
  • early beam(s) "Early beam(s)" is an idiom used to refer to the first light or rays of the sun in the morning. It often signifies the beginning of a new day or a sense of hope and renewal.
  • early black The idiom "early black" refers to the time just before daybreak or dawn, when the sky is dark but the first hints of light are beginning to appear.
  • early beam The idiom "early beam" refers to the first light (beam) of the day, typically used to describe the early morning hours when the sun is just rising. It can also symbolize the beginning or start of something new or fresh.

Similar spelling words for EARLY

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