# earliest

/ˈɝɫiəst/ (US) · /ˈɜːlɪəst/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. first in time

adjective · CEFR A2

happening at the very beginning of a period or before anything else.

For teachers: denoting the first part of a period of time or the first in a chronological sequence.

- The earliest trains leave the station at four in the morning.
- Archaeologists discovered that the earliest settlements in this valley date back to the Bronze Age, long before the arrival of Roman explorers.

Usage: Often used with 'the' as it identifies a unique point in a sequence.

### 2. at the first possible time

adverb · CEFR B1

at the first possible moment or as soon as you can.

For teachers: at the most premature or initial point possible within a timeframe.

- Please call me back at your earliest convenience.
- The shipment is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday at the earliest, assuming there are no further delays at the border.

Usage: Commonly found in the formal phrase 'at your earliest convenience'.

## Examples

- The earliest train leaves at five in the morning.
- Archaeologists recently discovered the earliest known examples of writing in this region, dating back five thousand years.
- While the earliest drafts of the manuscript show a much darker tone, the final published version focuses on the protagonist's eventual redemption and hope.

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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.