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early

1 early /ˈɚli/ adverb
earlier; earliest
1 early
/ˈɚli/
adverb
earlier; earliest
Britannica Dictionary definition of EARLY
: at or near the beginning of a period of time or a process, activity, series, etc.
opposite late
: before the usual or expected time
opposite late

early on

: at or during an early point or stage
Early on originated in British English. Some American writers have objected to it, but it is now very common in the U.S. Note that unlike early, early on can appear at the beginning of a sentence.
2 early /ˈɚli/ adjective
earlier; earliest
2 early
/ˈɚli/
adjective
earlier; earliest
Britannica Dictionary definition of EARLY
: existing or happening near the beginning of a period of time
opposite late
always used before a noun : happening near the beginning of a process, activity, series, etc.
: coming or happening before the usual or expected time
opposite late
: doing something before the usual time or before others usually do
◊ The expression the early bird catches/gets the worm means that people who start or arrive before others are more likely to succeed.
opposite late

early days (yet)

British
used to say that it is too soon to know how something will turn out

early hours

see hour

get/make an early start

: to get started on a journey, activity, etc., early in the day

make an early night of it

: to go home or go to bed early