a.

1. 早的；提早的；早产的，早熟的
   They were much earlier than I expected.

   他们比我期待的早多了。

   We had an early dinner today.

   今天我们晚餐吃得早。

2. 早期的，早先的，在前的
   In his early years, he was a keen basketball player.

   他早年热衷于打篮球。

3. 不久的，很快的[Z][B]
   We look forward to an early reply.

   我们期望早日得到答复。

ad.

1. 早；提早
   Please come to see me early tomorrow morning.

   请明天一早来见我。

   Please come early.

   请早点来。

2. 在开始阶段，在初期

adj.

1. before the usual or expected time.
2. of, at, or near the beginning of a particular time, period, or sequence.
   ▸(of a plant or crop) flowering or ripening before other varieties.

adv.

1. before the usual or expected time.
2. at or near the beginning of a time, period, etc.

n.

1. potatoes ready to be harvested before the main crop.
2. informal early shifts.