1. (adv.) Soon; in good season; seasonably; betimes; as, come early.

2. (adv.) In advance of the usual or appointed time; in good season; prior in time; among or near the first; -- opposed to late; as, the early bird; an early spring; early fruit.

3. (adv.) Coming in the first part of a period of time, or among the first of successive acts, events, etc.

a priori advanced ages ago ahead ahead of time already anachronistic ancient anciently antecedent antedated antediluvian anterior anticipative anticipatory antiquated antique away back back backward before before all beforehand beforetime beginning behind time behindhand betimes bright and early ci-devant dated earlier elder ere ere then erenow erstwhile ex post facto first fore foredated foregoing forehand forehanded foresighted foresightedly former formerly heretofore hitherto immemorial in advance in ancient times in anticipation in good time in olden times in times past inappropriate initial initially inopportune into the past late long ago long since metachronistic misdated mistimed of old of yore old olden older once onetime or ever original originally out of date out of season overdue oversoon parachronistic past past due pioneer postdated preceding precipitant precocious precociously precurrent preexistent prehistoric premature prematurely prevenient previous previously primal prime primeval primitive primordial prior priorly pristine prochronistic quondam recent retroactive retrospective seasonably senior some time ago some time back sometime soon tardy then theretofore timely unanticipated unexpected unpunctual unseasonable untimely years ago yet