Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

earlier

/ˈɝliɚ/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.98 in modern English

Syllables: ear-li-er
IPA: /ˈɝliɚ/

7

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

3

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

comparative form of early: more early

adj

occurring previously

adv

comparative form of early: more early

adv

previously; before now; sooner

Example Sentences

"I shall be late because I missed the earlier train."
"I'd seen earlier (in the day)."
"To me it seems that extensive investment in relatively low-powered units may have the same ultimate result of motive power shortage as that which afflicts the London Midland Region today, and which has compelled the re-engining of some of the earlier multiple-unit diesel train sets."
"Machine learning uses computer algorithms to teach machines to make independent decisions by learning from earlier or existing behavior."
"From what I vaguely saw earlier this morning, when I had just woken up and was tidying my bed, a tall, bulky person left an unfamiliar box at my front door."
"I shall be late because I didn't start earlier."

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈɝliɚ/
British English: /ˈɜː.lɪə/

Derived Forms

earlierness

Synonyms

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

Questions

How do you pronounce earlier?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɝliɚ/.
What does earlier mean?: comparative form of early: more early

How to pronounce earlier

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “earlier”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɝliɚ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “earlier”.
Repeat and practice — Say “earlier” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.