a.

1. 早的；提早的；早產的，早熟的
   They were much earlier than I expected.

   他們比我期待的早多了。

   We had an early dinner today.

   今天我們晚餐吃得早。

2. 早期的，早先的，在前的
   In his early years, he was a keen basketball player.

   他早年熱衷於打籃球。

3. 不久的，很快的[Z][B]
   We look forward to an early reply.

   我們期望早日得到答覆。

ad.

1. 早；提早
   Please come to see me early tomorrow morning.

   請明天一早來見我。

   Please come early.

   請早點來。

2. 在開始階段，在初期

adj.

1. before the usual or expected time.
2. of, at, or near the beginning of a particular time, period, or sequence.
   ▸(of a plant or crop) flowering or ripening before other varieties.

adv.

1. before the usual or expected time.
2. at or near the beginning of a time, period, etc.

n.

1. potatoes ready to be harvested before the main crop.
2. informal early shifts.