Earlier
/ˈɜːr.li.ər/noun
Comparative of early, meaning happening or done before the usual or expected time.
Did you know?“Earlier” comes from Old English *ǣr* meaning “before, sooner,” ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root for “early” or “dawn,” the same deep source behind words tied to first light and beginnings.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂ews-
“dawn, the break of day”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*airiz / *airō
“early, sooner”
Old English
English
ǣr
“before, sooner, earlier”
Middle English
English
erlier
“comparative form meaning sooner or in advance”
Modern English
English
earlier
“comparative of early, meaning happening before something else”