early on — at or during an early stage of a period, process, or activity
Part of speech: ADVERB
Definition: at or during an early stage of a period, process, or activity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɜːrli ɑːn/
Example Sentences
- Early on, my dog decided that my homework was actually a chew toy.
- She showed talent for music early on, singing off-key at every family dinner.
- Doctors say it's important to catch diseases early on.
early on
ADVERB[/ˈɜːrli ɑːn/]
at or during an early stage of a period, process, or activity
The detective spotted the suspicious clue early on in the investigation.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This adverbial phrase combines Old English 'early' (from Proto-Germanic *airiz, meaning 'timely' or 'premature') with the preposition 'on' (from Proto-Germanic *ana, meaning 'upon' or 'at'). The compound evolved from expressions like 'early in the process on,' where 'on' came to denote temporal progression, crystallizing into an idiom meaning 'at an early point in a process or sequence.'
Breakdown
early (Old English 'earh,' meaning timely or near the beginning) + on (preposition indicating position or progression in time). The phrase metaphorically positions a reference point early along the trajectory of an ongoing process or timeline.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Early on, my dog decided that my homework was actually a chew toy.”
“She showed talent for music early on, singing off-key at every family dinner.”
“Doctors say it's important to catch diseases early on.”
“Early on in the interview, he already regretted wearing socks with sandals.”
📚Related Words
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