| No. | Term | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | ahead of time | before the planned time |
| 2. | antecedent | earlier; preceding |
| 3. | at dawn | at daybreak |
| 4. | at first | in the beginning |
| 5. | at once | immediately; without waiting |
| 6. | at the beginning | near the start |
| 7. | at the outset | at the beginning |
| 8. | at the start | at the beginning |
| 9. | before breakfast | very early in the day |
| 10. | before dawn | earlier than dawn |
| 11. | before long | soon; after a short time |
| 12. | before sunrise | earlier than sunrise |
| 13. | before the deadline | earlier than the due time |
| 14. | before the due date | earlier than required |
| 15. | beforehand | in advance; earlier |
| 16. | beginning | the first part; start |
| 17. | commencing | starting; beginning |
| 18. | crack of dawn | very early morning |
| 19. | dawn | the first light of day |
| 20. | dawning | just beginning to appear |
| 21. | daybreak | the very early morning |
| 22. | developing | in the process of beginning |
| 23. | directly | immediately; at once |
| 24. | earlier | at a previous time |
| 25. | earlyish | somewhat early |
| 26. | embryonic | in an early stage of development |
| 27. | emerging | starting to appear or develop |
| 28. | expeditiously | quickly and efficiently |
| 29. | first | coming before all others |
| 30. | fledgling | new and still developing |
| 31. | fore | at or toward the front |
| 32. | foregoing | previously mentioned; earlier |
| 33. | former | earlier; previous |
| 34. | forthwith | immediately; without delay |
| 35. | from the outset | from the beginning |
| 36. | from the start | from the beginning |
| 37. | genesis | the origin; beginning |
| 38. | green | inexperienced; not yet mature |
| 39. | growing | developing from an early stage |
| 40. | hastily | with speed; quickly |
| 41. | immature | not fully developed yet |
| 42. | in advance | beforehand; prior to the time |
| 43. | in its infancy | at a very early stage |
| 44. | in the beginning | at the start of something |
| 45. | in the first place | to start with |
| 46. | incipient | beginning to happen or develop |
| 47. | infant | in an early stage |
| 48. | initial | at the beginning; first |
| 49. | introductory | serving as an introduction |
| 50. | juvenile | young; not fully mature |
| 51. | kickoff | the start of an event |
| 52. | launch | the start of a project |
| 53. | matutinal | of the morning; early |
| 54. | middle of the night | very early; before morning |
| 55. | morning | the early part of the day |
| 56. | nascent | just beginning to exist |
| 57. | new | recently begun; not old |
| 58. | newborn | just begun; very new |
| 59. | on time | at the scheduled time |
| 60. | onset | the beginning of something |
| 61. | opening | at the start; introductory |
| 62. | origin | the beginning; source |
| 63. | outset | the start of something |
| 64. | overnight | by the next morning |
| 65. | posthaste | with great speed; quickly |
| 66. | preliminary | coming before the main part |
| 67. | premature | happening sooner than expected |
| 68. | presently | soon; before long |
| 69. | previous | earlier; coming before |
| 70. | prior | earlier in time or order |
| 71. | promptly | without delay |
| 72. | pronto | immediately; quickly |
| 73. | quickly | after little time |
| 74. | rapidly | at a fast rate |
| 75. | raw | not yet processed or developed |
| 76. | recent | not long ago; new |
| 77. | recently | not long ago; newly |
| 78. | right away | immediately; at once |
| 79. | shortly | soon; after a short time |
| 80. | small hours | very early morning hours |
| 81. | soon | in a short time |
| 82. | speedily | quickly; promptly |
| 83. | springtime | in the early part of a cycle |
| 84. | straightaway | immediately; without delay |
| 85. | sunrise | the start of daylight |
| 86. | swiftly | at a fast speed |
| 87. | timely | happening at a suitable early time |
| 88. | to begin with | at the start |
| 89. | too soon | earlier than appropriate |
| 90. | undeveloped | not yet fully formed |
| 91. | unripe | not ready; too soon |
| 92. | untimely | happening too soon |
| 93. | up with the lark | awake very early |
| 94. | upfront | paid or done at the start |
| 95. | wee hours | very early morning hours |
| 96. | well before | a good while earlier |
| 97. | with time to spare | before the last moment |
| 98. | without delay | immediately; promptly |
| 99. | young | not old; in early life |
| 100. | youthful | young; in early years |
