1. earlier, earliest

(comparative and superlative of early') more early than; most early

Example Sentences:
'a fashion popular in earlier times'
'his earlier work reflects the influence of his teacher'
'Verdi's earliest and most raucous opera'

• earliest

2. before, earlier

earlier in time; previously

Example Sentences:
'I had known her before'
'as I said before'
'he called me the day before but your call had come even earlier'
'her parents had died four years earlier'
'I mentioned that problem earlier'

• before

3. earlier, sooner

comparatives of soon' or early'

Example Sentences:
'Come a little sooner, if you can'
'came earlier than I expected'

• sooner

4. earlier, in the beginning, in the first place, originally, to begin with

before now

Example Sentences:
'why didn't you tell me in the first place?'

• in the beginning
• in the first place
• originally
• to begin with