earlier

/ˈɝliɚ/ · 3 syllables

Meaning

adverb

1. earlier in time; previously
   “I had known her before”
2. comparatives of `soon' or `early'
   “Come a little sooner, if you can”
3. before now
   “why didn't you tell me in the first place?”

adjective

1. (comparative and superlative of `early') more early than; most early
   “a fashion popular in earlier times”

Synonyms for earlier

• before
• sooner
• in the first place
• in the beginning
• to begin with
• originally
• earliest
• early