early on

adverb

: at or during an early point or stage
the reasons were obvious early on in the experiment
Using Early on: Usage Guide

This adverb is sometimes objected to in American writing as an obtrusive Briticism. It is a relative newcomer to the language, having arisen in British English around 1928. It seems to have filled a need, however. It came into frequent use in American English in the late 1960s and is now well established on both sides of the Atlantic in both speech and writing.

Examples of early on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This model can increase the chances of achieving product-market fit because startups can test and refine their concepts early on. Mostofa Shakib, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 McDermott told reporters that Allen will start the game to maintain his current streak of starting games for the team but will come off the field at some point early on. Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 1 Jan. 2025 With Venus retrograde in your sign early on in the year, you’re called to reflect on past relationships and how this has influenced your sense of self-worth. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025 Empowering democratic forces early on can prevent the rise of extremist alternatives, reducing the long-term costs of inaction. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for early on 

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of early on was in 1759

Dictionary Entries Near early on

Cite this Entry

“Early on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/early%20on. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

early on

adverb
: at or during an early point or stage
had decided early on not to accept
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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