What does "earlier" mean?

1. (before now) at a time before the present or before the time you are talking about. 2. (sooner than expected) sooner than the usual time or sooner than a time already mentioned. 3. (previous) happening or existing before something else.

How do you use "earlier"?

often used with 'today', 'this morning', or 'this week' to refer to a past moment in the same period. frequently used in comparisons with 'than'. usually placed before a noun.

earlier

adv. · adj.

US //ˈɝɫiɝ// UK //ˈɜːlɪɐ// ear·li·er

1 before now (adv.)
A2 Elementary

at a time before the present or before the time you are talking about.

at a point in time preceding the current moment or a specified reference point.

Example

I mentioned that problem to you earlier today.

Example

As we discussed earlier in the semester, the final grade will be determined by both the exam and the research project.

Usage

often used with 'today', 'this morning', or 'this week' to refer to a past moment in the same period.
- previously
- beforehand
- later
2 sooner than expected (adv.)
A2 Elementary

sooner than the usual time or sooner than a time already mentioned.

at a time before the expected, usual, or previously arranged time.

Example

The train arrived ten minutes earlier than the schedule said.

Example

The harvest began significantly earlier this year due to an unseasonably warm spring and consistent rainfall.

Usage

frequently used in comparisons with 'than'.
- sooner
- ahead of time
- later
- behind schedule

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3 previous (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

happening or existing before something else.

occurring or existing at a point in time before the present or before a specified event.

Example

In an earlier chapter, the author explains why the family moved.

Example

The detective revisited the witness's earlier statement to check for inconsistencies with the new evidence.

Usage

usually placed before a noun.
- later
- subsequent