earlier

Closer to present

Earlier is the comparative form of early, indicating something that comes before in time or sequence.

It often refers to a previous point in the same day or period: I saw her earlier this morning, As mentioned earlier in the report.

Earlier can also compare two events or versions: The earlier model lacked these features.

preceding

previous

Occurring before another

priorExisting before another
formerPreviously holding a position
antecedentSomething that precedes

foregoing · preliminary · initial · preexisting · advance · ahead · front · precursor · original · preparatory

past

bygone

Of earlier times

elapsedGone by, temporally
oldExisting many years
ancientVery old indeed

gone · finished · completed · occurred · antiquity · history · former · previous · retrospective · historical

ancestral

forebear

Ancestral family member

progenitorAncestor or originator
patriarchMale head of family
matriarchFemale family leader

forefather · foremother · ancestor · lineage · heritage · genealogy · descent · bloodline · ancestry · pedigree

sooner

prompt

Incite to action

prematureOccurring before expected
aheadIn the lead
quickMoving with speed

hasty · imminent · precocious · speedy · swift · rapid · first · beforehand · in advance · prematurely

dawn

sunrise

Morning light's arrival

daybreakMorning's first light
morningDay's early hours
auroraAtmospheric light display

first light · cockcrow · sunup · break of day · dawning · dayspring · wee hours · predawn · forenoon

Categories

timesecond, minute, hour, day, seconds
sequencesequence, first, second, third, fourth
time expressionsnow, today, soon, tomorrow, later
sequence wordsfirst, second, third, next, fourth
recent pastyesterday, last week, last month, this morning, last night
pastago, before, once, previously, prior

Opposites

temporal sequence

earlierlater

At a subsequent time

afterward · afterwards · subsequently · after · following

developmental stage

earlierlater

At a subsequent time

advanced · mature · developed · ripe · new

Phrases

earlier onAt a previous time

Family

earliest, earlier on

Familiarity: Top 2,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G