Early vs. Late
Difference Between Early and Late
Earlyadjective
At a time in advance of the usual or expected event.
at eleven, we went for an early lunch;she began reading at an early age;his mother suffered an early deathLateadjective
Near the end of a period of time.
It was late in the evening when we finally arrived.Earlyadjective
Arriving a time before expected; sooner than on time.
You're early today! I don't usually see you before nine o'clock.The early guests sipped their punch and avoided each other's eyes.Lateadjective
Specifically, near the end of the day.
It was getting late and I was tired.Earlyadjective
Near the start or beginning.
The play "Two Gentlemen of Verona" is one of Shakespeare's early works.Early results showed their winning 245 out of 300 seats in parliament. The main opponent locked up only 31 seats.Lateadjective
Associated with the end of a period.
Late Latin is less fully inflected than classical Latin.Earlyadjective
Having begun to occur; in its early stages.
early cancerLateadjective
Not arriving until after an expected time.
Even though we drove as fast as we could, we were still late.Panos was so late that he arrived at the meeting after Antonio, who had the excuse of being in hospital for most of the night.Earlyadverb
At a time before expected; sooner than usual.
We finished the project an hour sooner than scheduled, so we left early.Lateadjective
Not having had an expected menstrual period.
I'm late, honey. Could you buy a test?Earlyadverb
Soon; in good time; seasonably.
Lateadjective
Deceased, dead: used particularly when speaking of the dead person's actions while alive. the"; see usage notes.}}
Her late husband had left her well provided for.The piece was composed by the late Igor Stravinsky.Earlynoun
(informal) A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place early in the day.
Lateadjective
Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; departed, or gone out of office.
the late bishop of Londonthe late administrationEarlyadjective
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time;
early morningan early warningearly diagnosisan early deathtook early retirementan early springearly varieties of peas and tomatoes mature before most standard varietiesin the middle yearsin his middle thirtiesLateadjective
Recent — relative to the noun it modifies.
Earlyadjective
being or occurring at an early stage of development;
in an early stageearly forms of lifeearly manan early computerthe late phase of feudalisma later symptom of the diseaselater medical science could have saved the childLatenoun
(informal) A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place late in the day or at night.
Earlyadjective
of the distant past;
the early inhabitants of Europeformer generationsin other timesLateadverb
After a deadline has passed, past a designated time.
We drove as fast as we could, but we still arrived late.Earlyadjective
very young;
at an early ageLateadverb
formerly, especially in the context of service in a military unit.
Colonel Easterwood, late of the 34th Carbines, was a guest at the dinner party.The Hendersons will all be there / Late of Pablo Fanque's Fair / What a scene!— "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!", The Beatles
Earlyadjective
of an early stage in the development of a language or literature;
the Early Hebrew alphabetical script is that used mainly from the 11th to the 6th centuries B.C.Early Modern English is represented in documents printed from 1476 to 1700Middle English is the English language from about 1100 to 1500Middle GaelicLateadjective
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time;
late eveninglate 18th centurya late movietook a late flighthad a late breakfastin the middle yearsin his middle thirtiesEarlyadjective
expected in the near future;
look for an early end to the negotiationsLateadjective
after the expected or usual time; delayed;
a belated birthday cardI'm late for the planethe train is latetardy children are sent to the principalalways tardy in making dental appointmentsEarlyadverb
during an early stage;
early on in her careerLateadjective
of the immediate past or just previous to the present time;
a late developmenttheir late quarrelhis recent trip to Africain recent monthsa recent issue of the journalEarlyadverb
before the usual time or the time expected;
she graduated earlythe house was completed ahead of timeLateadjective
having died recently;
her late husbandEarlyadverb
in good time;
he awoke betimes that morningLateadjective
of a later stage in the development of a language or literature; used especially of dead languages;
Late GreekMiddle English is the English language from about 1100 to 1500Middle GaelicLateadjective
at or toward an end or late period or stage of development;
the late phase of feudalisma later symptom of the diseaselater medical science could have saved the childLateadjective
(used especially of persons) of the immediate past;
the former presidentour late President is still very activethe previous occupant of the White HouseLateadverb
later than usual or than expected;
the train arrived latewe awoke latethe children came late to schoolnotice came so tardily that we almost missed the deadlineI belatedly wished her a happy birthdayLateadverb
to an advanced time;
deep into the nighttalked late into the eveningLateadverb
at an advanced age or stage;
she married lateundertook the project late in her careerLateadverb
in the recent past;
he was in Paris recentlylately the rules have been enforcedas late as yesterday she was finefeeling better of latethe spelling was first affected, but latterly the meaning also
