earliest
[ˈɚliəst] /ˈər-lē/ (ame, mw) · /ˈɜːliɪst/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈɚliəst] /ˈɜːrliɪst/ (ame, ipa)
earliest — adjective
- earliestpositive
- more earliestcomparative
- most earliestsuperlative
1. happening nearest the start of a day, a season, a project, or any series — befor
happening nearest the start of a day, a season, a project, or any series — before most other things have occurred or come into being.
Noa caught the earliest train to Taipei so she could arrive before lunch.
the earliest + noun denoting scheduled item
The earliest known written records of the Khmer kingdom date back to the 12th century.
Kenji's earliest memory is of sitting on his grandmother's veranda watching the rain.
The earliest chapters of the novel feel rushed, but the story improves later.
These are among the earliest photographs ever taken of the city.
文法句型
the earliest + noun
one of the earliest + noun
用法筆記
Typically appears with 'the' when used as a superlative adjective modifying a noun: 'the earliest train', 'the earliest records'. Without 'the' it sounds incomplete in most contexts.
常見錯誤
2. belonging to the time that is furthest back in history — used when talking about
belonging to the time that is furthest back in history — used when talking about ancient periods that have very old origins.
The earliest human tools were made from stone, bone, and wood.
Scholars are still debating the earliest origins of the Mayan calendar.
These cave paintings are among the earliest examples of human art.
The earliest settlers on the island arrived more than three thousand years ago.
- oldest
more common in everyday speech; 'the oldest civilisation' is used alongside 'the earliest civilisation'
- most ancient
more formal and literary; 'the most ancient traditions' feels older than 'the earliest traditions'
- most recent
closest to the present day; 'the most recent discovery' vs 'the earliest discovery'
文法句型
the earliest + noun (abstract/historical)
用法筆記
Distinguish from SENSE 1: sense 1 refers to the beginning of any period (morning, season, project), while this sense refers specifically to the distant, ancient past. The noun subject is usually historical or archaeological.
3. at the simplest or least developed stage of something that later became more adv
at the simplest or least developed stage of something that later became more advanced or complex — emphasising a lack of refinement rather than a position in time.
The earliest form of the language had no written script at all.
the earliest form/type/stage of + noun
Cameras from the 1830s represent the earliest stage of photographic technology.
Biologists compare the earliest life forms with modern single-celled organisms.
The earliest version of the software could only perform basic calculations.
- most primitive
more direct but can sound negative; 'primitive tools' focuses on simplicity, 'earliest tools' is neutral
- most basic
focuses on minimal features; 'the most basic version' vs 'the earliest version'
- most advanced
most developed or sophisticated; 'the most advanced form' vs 'the earliest form'
- latest
the most recent version; 'the latest software' vs 'the earliest software'
文法句型
the earliest form/type/stage of + noun
用法筆記
This sense highlights a lack of development or sophistication, unlike sense 1 which is purely temporal. It often pairs with nouns like 'form', 'stage', 'type', 'version'.
4. happening before the time that is usual, normal, or arranged — often with a focu
happening before the time that is usual, normal, or arranged — often with a focus on how surprisingly soon something occurs.
The earliest possible delivery date for the sofa is next Tuesday.
the earliest possible + noun
This year's harvest was the earliest on record because of the warm spring.
the earliest + noun + on record
Ramón booked the earliest appointment at the clinic for his check-up.
The team scored its earliest goal of the season in the third minute.
Ava's flight from Manila landed at the earliest time Taoyuan Airport had ever recorded.
- soonest
more direct but less common in formal writing; 'the soonest date' vs 'the earliest date'
- latest
the most recent or last possible time; 'the latest possible delivery' vs 'the earliest possible delivery'
文法句型
the earliest possible + noun
the earliest + noun + on record
用法筆記
Often used with 'possible' to emphasise the soonest achievable time. Common in practical scheduling contexts (delivery, appointments, deadlines).
常見錯誤
5. happening or available within the shortest possible time from now — mostly found
happening or available within the shortest possible time from now — mostly found in the polite formal phrase 'at your earliest convenience'.
Please send us the signed invoice at your earliest convenience.
at + possessive + earliest convenience
The HR manager asked me to reply at my earliest convenience.
We would appreciate hearing your decision at your earliest opportunity.
Please review the contract at your earliest convenience and let us know.
- soonest
less formal and less common; 'at your soonest' is occasionally used but considered non-standard
文法句型
at + possessive + earliest convenience
用法筆記
Almost entirely fixed in the expression 'at your/his/her/their earliest convenience'. This is a polite formal phrase used in business correspondence. It does NOT mean 'immediately' — it means 'when you have a chance, without rushing'.
常見錯誤
6. (of plants, fruits, or vegetables) ready for picking or eating earlier in the gr
(of plants, fruits, or vegetables) ready for picking or eating earlier in the growing season than other related types.
The earliest varieties of peach ripen in late spring.
the earliest + plant/fruit variety
Farmers plant the earliest corn varieties in early March.
These are the earliest apples of the season — they are ready by mid-July.
Aylin grew the earliest tomatoes in the neighbourhood by using a small greenhouse.
- early-season
used to describe crops that appear at the start of the growing period; 'early-season strawberries'
- late-season
maturing or producing later in the year; 'late-season apples' vs 'earliest apples'
文法句型
the earliest + noun (plant/fruit/variety)
用法筆記
Used specifically in agricultural and gardening contexts. Unlike sense 4, which refers to any event happening sooner than expected, this sense is restricted to the growing cycle of plants.
earliest — adverb
1. at the time that is nearest to the start of a day, season, process, or historica
at the time that is nearest to the start of a day, season, process, or historical period, compared with others.
Of all the students, Daniel arrived earliest and stayed latest.
superlative adverb: verb + earliest
The cherry trees bloom earliest in the southern part of the valley.
I wake up earliest on summer mornings because the light streams in.
The tribe that settled earliest built their homes closest to the river.
Among European countries, Portugal adopted the carbon tax policy earliest.
- soonest
carries a slightly different nuance of 'as soon as possible' rather than position in a timeline; 'the work finished soonest' suggests speed, not early start
- latest
at the most recent or last time; 'she finished latest' vs 'she finished earliest'
文法句型
verb + (the) earliest
verb + as early as possible
用法筆記
Unlike the adjective form, the adverb can appear without 'the': 'she arrived earliest' (adverb) vs 'she took the earliest train' (adjective). Both forms are correct, but 'the earliest' as an adverb is more common in formal writing.
常見錯誤
2. at the stage that is closest to the start of an activity, process, or series — b
at the stage that is closest to the start of an activity, process, or series — before things have developed very far.
The team that scores earliest in a match often wins.
earliest + in + [process/activity]
Alessia realised earliest in the project that the timeline was too tight.
Lung cancer is easiest to treat when it is caught at the earliest stage.
Problems identified earliest in the design phase cost much less to fix.
- at the start
a phrase rather than a single word; 'at the start of the project' vs 'earliest in the project'
- latest
at the most advanced stage; 'identified latest in the process' vs 'identified earliest in the process'
文法句型
verb + earliest (in/at the + noun)
用法筆記
Often used with 'in' to specify what process or activity is being referred to: 'earliest in the match', 'earliest in the project'. This distinguishes it from sense 1, which focuses on clock/calendar time rather than stages of an activity.
3. at a time that comes before when something normally or usually happens, more so
at a time that comes before when something normally or usually happens, more so than anything or anyone else.
Of all the guests, Mira left earliest because her son was unwell.
verb + earliest + of all / this year
The daffodils bloomed earliest this year after the mild winter.
Pim finished his exam earliest and sat quietly waiting for the bell.
The northern tribe harvested their crops earliest each autumn.
- soonest
overlaps significantly but 'soonest' emphasises speed of completion while 'earliest' emphasises position in a timeline before others
- latest
after the expected time; 'finished latest' vs 'finished earliest'
文法句型
verb + (the) earliest of all/comparison phrase
用法筆記
This sense contrasts actual timing with a normal or expected timeline. The comparison can be explicit ('earliest of all', 'earliest this year') or implied by context. Distinct from sense 1 because it focuses on 'earlier than normal' rather than 'near the start of a period'.
4. within the shortest possible time from now; with the least possible delay.
within the shortest possible time from now; with the least possible delay.
Please tell us the earliest you can confirm your attendance.
the earliest + subject + can
The earliest we can schedule the meeting is next Wednesday morning.
the earliest + subject + can
Sana said she would finish the report earliest among the three interns.
Cyrus replied to the invitation earliest, accepting it the same day.
- soonest
more natural in scheduling contexts; 'the soonest we can meet' feels slightly more informal than 'the earliest we can meet'
- latest
at the furthest possible time; 'the latest we can meet' vs 'the earliest we can meet'
文法句型
as early as possible
the earliest we can
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (which is about position in a timeline) and sense 3 (about being before expected time), this sense is about the soonness or speed of something happening relative to the present moment. It often appears in scheduling contexts.
常見錯誤
5. (of plants) at a time in the growing season that comes before when other related
(of plants) at a time in the growing season that comes before when other related types or varieties are ready.
This strawberry variety fruits earliest of all the types we grow.
verb + earliest + of all + [category]
The tulips planted in the sunniest spot bloomed earliest.
Among the apple trees on the farm, the Gravensteins ripen earliest.
The greenhouse tomatoes at the market always appear earliest each season.
- latest
ripening or producing later in the season; 'these ripen latest' vs 'these ripen earliest'
文法句型
verb + earliest of all + noun (variety/type)
用法筆記
A specialised agricultural sense, closely related to adjective sense 6. The adverbial form describes when the plant produces fruit or flowers relative to other varieties.
earliest — noun
1. the earliest possible time that something can happen — used after a date or time
the earliest possible time that something can happen — used after a date or time to state that it cannot happen before that point.
The construction work will finish in June at the earliest.
time-expression + at the earliest
Ayana said she could arrive by Friday at the earliest.
The report will not be ready until next week at the earliest.
Yuna hopes to move into her new flat by March at the earliest.
The court will announce its decision in two months at the earliest.
- at the soonest
less common but synonymous; 'Tuesday at the soonest' means the same as 'Tuesday at the earliest'
- at the latest
the latest possible time something can happen; 'Tuesday at the latest' means 'by Tuesday, not after'
文法句型
time-expression + at the earliest
用法筆記
This is a fixed phrase that always follows a specific time or date. It functions as a postmodifier: '[time] at the earliest' means 'not before [time]'. Common in planning, logistics, legal and business contexts. Also appears in the negative structure 'not until [time] at the earliest'.