early onset

Meanings

1. 1noununcountablemedical

   The start of a disease or condition at an unusually young age, earlier than is typical.

   Grammar: No plural; used mainly in medical writing, often before another noun: early onset diabetes.

   Patterns

   • early onset of something
   • early onset something

   The doctor explained that early onset of the disease meant she needed treatment sooner.

   Early onset arthritis can affect people in their thirties.

   Researchers are studying the genetic causes of early onset Alzheimer's.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounmedical

   Describing a condition that begins earlier than usual, especially before a certain age.

   Grammar: Comes before the noun and is often hyphenated: early-onset Parkinson's.

   Patterns

   • early-onset condition
   • early-onset form of something

   He was diagnosed with early-onset hearing loss at twenty-five.

   The clinic specializes in early-onset dementia.

   Early-onset cases tend to progress more quickly.

Common combinations

early onset of

The early onset of symptoms surprised the family.

early-onset disease

Early-onset disease is often more aggressive.

early-onset Alzheimer's

She cares for her father, who has early-onset Alzheimer's.

early onset diabetes

Early onset diabetes requires careful management.

Synonyms and how they differ

precocious

Used for children who develop skills early, not for diseases; 'early onset' is the medical term.

premature

Means happening too soon or before the expected time, often for birth or death; it can suggest something went wrong.

Opposites

Word family

onset noun

The beginning of something, especially something unpleasant like an illness.

Commonly confused: early onset or early on?

Practice

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