earlier
earlier in time; previously
How often you will meet it
Rank 2,534 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 6,689 times across 139,755 chapters — 0.003% of every word in the library.
What it means
adverb
- earlier in time; previously also: before I had known her beforeas I said before
- comparatives of `soon' or `early' also: sooner Come a little sooner, if you cancame earlier than I expected
- before now also: in the first place, in the beginning, to begin with, originally why didn't you tell me in the first place?
adjective
- (comparative and superlative of `early') more early than; most early also: earliest a fashion popular in earlier timeshis earlier work reflects the influence of his teacher
earlier in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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In his earlier days he had tricked a widow and caused her to be separated from her last penny.
The Bad Man: A Novel · Charles Hanson Towne · Chapter 1
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During all these years the gay young "university wit" of earlier days was probably forgotten in the venerable and successful physician.
Elizabethan Sonnet Cycles: Phillis - Licia · Martha Foote [Editor] Crow · Chapter 1
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This new trustee was known personally to Varney,--a contemporary of his own, and in earlier youth a pupil to his uncle.
Lucretia — Volume 06 · Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron Lytton · Chapter 1
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Although many letters have been preserved from earlier times, none make special claims to attention outside of the information that they furnish.
Lincoln's Inaugurals, Addresses and Letters · Abraham Lincoln · Chapter 1
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He was wholly absorbed in his business: he left earlier, came home later, and hardly allowed himself time to eat and drink.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1