What it means

1. adjective at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
   “early morning”
2. adjective being or occurring at an early stage of development
   “in an early stage”
3. adjective of an early stage in the development of a language or literature
   “the Early Hebrew alphabetical script is that used mainly from the 11th to the 6th centuries B.C.”
4. adjective very young
   “at an early age”
5. adjective expected in the near future
   “look for an early end to the negotiations”
6. adverb before the usual time or the time expected
   “she graduated early”
7. adverb in good time
   “he awoke betimes that morning”
8. adverb during an early stage
   “early on in her career”