earliest

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Coming first in time out of several, or nearest to the beginning.

   Grammar: Used before a noun, usually with the or a possessive: the earliest records.

   Patterns

   • the earliest known something
   • the earliest example of something

   The earliest photograph of the town dates from 1860.

   Scientists found the earliest known tools in East Africa.

   My earliest memory is of a yellow kitchen.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Soonest possible, used for the first moment something can happen.

   Grammar: Often used in the phrase the earliest possible or at the earliest.

   Patterns

   • the earliest possible time
   • at the earliest

   The earliest available appointment is next Tuesday.

   Please send the form at your earliest convenience.

   The earliest we can deliver is Friday.

3. 3adverbnot comparable

   Sooner than any other, or at the soonest time compared with others.

   Grammar: Superlative adverb, often preceded by the: who arrived earliest.

   Patterns

   • arrive earliest
   • bloom earliest

   Which flowers bloom earliest in spring?

   She arrived earliest and opened the building.

   The children who woke earliest got the best seats.

Common combinations

earliest convenience

Please reply at your earliest convenience.

earliest known

This is the earliest known map of the island.

earliest possible date

The earliest possible date for the meeting is Monday.

earliest memory

Her earliest memory is of a thunderstorm.

at the earliest

The repairs will be finished next month at the earliest.

Synonyms and how they differ

first

First means number one in order and can be used for any sequence, while earliest specifically refers to time.

initial

Initial describes the beginning stage of a process, whereas earliest compares moments in time.

soonest

Soonest is the closest to now and is mostly used for future times, while earliest also works for the past.

primitive

Primitive can describe the earliest stage of development but carries a sense of being basic or simple.

Opposites

Word family

early adjective

happening before the expected or usual time

earlier adjective

comparative of early; before another time

early adverb

before the usual or planned time

earliness noun

the quality of being early

Commonly confused: earliest or earlier?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “earliest”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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