earlier

adj

1. (comparative, form-of)comparative form of early: more early
2. occurring previously

   “I shall be late because I missed the earlier train.”

   “I'd seen earlier (in the day).”

   “To me it seems that extensive investment in relatively low-powered units may have the same ultimate result of motive power shortage as that which afflicts the London Midland Region today, and which has compelled the re-engining of some of the earlier multiple-unit diesel train sets.”

   “Machine learning uses computer algorithms to teach machines to make independent decisions by learning from earlier or existing behavior.”

adv

1. (comparative, form-of)comparative form of early: more early
2. previously; before now; sooner

   “From what I vaguely saw earlier this morning, when I had just woken up and was tidying my bed, a tall, bulky person left an unfamiliar box at my front door.”

   “I shall be late because I didn't start earlier.”

   “They were looking for some measuring equipment they had placed in the ice earlier.”