Crossword answer · 5 letters
Early definition and meaning
UR-lee · adjective; adverb
EARLY
What does Early mean?
Early means before the expected time, near the beginning, or ahead of others in a sequence.
What does EARLY mean in a crossword?
EARLY answers the reviewed clue “___ bird.” The blank precedes “bird” and asks for the adjective in a common expression.
Why is EARLY useful to learn?
“An early train” uses an adjective; “arrive early” uses an adverb. The reference point may be a schedule rather than morning.
Common clue patterns
- Before the expected time
- Near the beginning
- Ahead of schedule
These are editorially written pattern summaries, not a reproduced puzzle archive.
Other meanings to watch
Early bird is one expression for an early riser or starter. Early does not always mean young, and being early for an evening event is possible.