# earlier

/ˈɝɫiɝ/ (US) · /ˈɜːlɪɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/earlier
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. before now

adverb · CEFR A2

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

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

- I mentioned that problem to you earlier today.
- 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.

### 2. sooner than expected

adverb · CEFR A2

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

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

- The train arrived ten minutes earlier than the schedule said.
- The harvest began significantly earlier this year due to an unseasonably warm spring and consistent rainfall.

Usage: frequently used in comparisons with 'than'.

### 3. previous

adjective · CEFR B1

happening or existing before something else.

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

- In an earlier chapter, the author explains why the family moved.
- The detective revisited the witness's earlier statement to check for inconsistencies with the new evidence.

Usage: usually placed before a noun.

## Examples

- The earlier train is usually less crowded.
- We should refer to the earlier version of the contract to see what changed during the negotiations.
- While the later chapters focus on modern history, the earlier sections of the book provide a detailed account of the region's ancient tribal migrations.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.