The difference between Early and Late
When used as nouns, early means a shift (scheduled work period) that takes place early in the day, whereas late means a shift (scheduled work period) that takes place late in the day or at night.
When used as adverbs, early means at a time before expected, whereas late means after a deadline has passed, past a designated time.
When used as adjectives, early means at a time in advance of the usual or expected event, whereas late means near the end of a period of time.
check bellow for the other definitions of Early and Late
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Early as an adjective:
At a time in advance of the usual or expected event.
Examples:
"at eleven, we went for an early lunch; she began reading at an early age; his mother suffered an early death"
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Early as an adjective:
Arriving a time before expected; sooner than on time.
Examples:
"You're early today! I don't usually see you before nine o'clock."
"The early guests sipped their punch and avoided each other's eyes."
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Early as an adjective:
Near the start or beginning.
Examples:
"The play "Two Gentlemen of Verona" is one of Shakespeare's early works."
"'Early results showed their winning 245 out of 300 seats in parliament. The main opponent locked up only 31 seats."
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Early as an adjective:
Having begun to occur; in its early stages.
Examples:
"'early cancer"
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Early as an adverb:
At a time before expected; sooner than usual.
Examples:
"We finished the project an hour sooner than scheduled, so we left early."
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Early as an adverb:
Soon; in good time; seasonably.
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Early as a noun (informal):
A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place early in the day.
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Late as an adjective:
Near the end of a period of time.
Examples:
"It was late in the evening when we finally arrived."
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Late as an adjective:
Specifically, near the end of the day.
Examples:
"It was getting late and I was tired."
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Late as an adjective (usually, not used comparatively):
Associated with the end of a period.
Examples:
"'Late Latin is less fully inflected than classical Latin."
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Late as an adjective:
Not arriving until after an expected time.
Examples:
"Even though we drove as fast as we could, we were still late."
"Panos was so late that he arrived at the meeting after Antonio, who had the excuse of being in hospital for most of the night."
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Late as an adjective:
Not having had an expected menstrual period.
Examples:
"I'm late, honey. Could you buy a [[pregnancy test test]]?"
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Late as an adjective (not comparable, euphemistic):
Deceased, dead: "; see usage notes.}}
Examples:
"Her late husband had left her well provided for."
"The piece was composed by the late Igor Stravinsky."
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Late as an adjective:
Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; departed, or gone out of office.
Examples:
"the late bishop of London"
"the late administration"
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Late as an adjective:
Recent — relative to the noun it modifies.
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Late as a noun (informal):
A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place late in the day or at night.
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Late as an adverb:
After a deadline has passed, past a designated time.
Examples:
"We drove as fast as we could, but we still arrived late."
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Late as an adverb:
Formerly, especially in the context of service in a military unit.
Examples:
"Colonel Easterwood, late of the 34th Carbines, was a guest at the dinner party."
"The Hendersons will all be there / Late of Pablo Fanque's Fair / What a scene!"
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Late as an adverb:
Not long ago; just now.