different between firstly vs early

English

Etymology

Coined between 1525 and 1535 from first +? -ly.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?f??stli/

Adverb

firstly (not comparable)

1. (formal) In the first place; before anything else; first.

Usage notes

• Whether it is proper to use "firstly", rather than "first", has often been disputed.
  • Beginning in the early 19th century, some have argued against the use of "firstly", advocating the sequence: "First", "secondly", "thirdly", ....
  • The usage of "firstly" is also deprecated by some modern style guides. The Chicago Manual of Style further recommends that all such -ly forms be avoided, and that list items begin only with "first", "second", and so forth.
  • Other authorities disagree.
    • The American Heritage Dictionary comments:

      It is well established that either first or firstly can be used to begin an enumeration: Our objectives are, first (or firstly), to recover from last year's slump.

    • The Oxford English Dictionary notes the dispute but does not pass judgment: "many writers prefer first, even though closely followed by secondly, thirdly, etc."
  • "Firstly" may appear more formal than "first" and is often recommended for the formal enumeration of arguments.

Synonyms

• 1stly, first, first of all, first up; see also Thesaurus:firstly

Translations

See also

• at first
• in the first place

References

English

Etymology

From Middle English erly, erli, from Old English ?rl??e, ?rl??e (“early; early in the morning”), equivalent to ere +? -ly. Cognate with Old Norse árla ( > Danish and Norwegian årle, Swedish arla, Faroese árla). Compare also West Frisian earen (“early”).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /??li/, enPR: ûr?l?
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /???.li/, enPR: ûr?l?
• Rhymes: -??(?)li
• Hyphenation: ear?ly
• Homophone: Earley

Adjective

early (comparative earlier, superlative earliest)

1. At a time in advance of the usual or expected event.

2. Arriving a time before expected; sooner than on time.

3. Near the start or beginning.

4. Having begun to occur; in its early stages.

5. (astronomy) Of a star or class of stars, hotter than the sun.

   Antonym: late

Synonyms

• (at a time in advance of the usual): premature
• (near the start): first

Antonyms

• (at a time in advance of the usual): late
• (illness: having begun to occur): terminal

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Adverb

early (comparative earlier, superlative earliest)

1. At a time before expected; sooner than usual.

2. Soon; in good time; seasonably.

   • Those that seek me early shall find me.

   • ?, Alfred Tennyson, The May Queen

     You must wake and call me early.

Synonyms

• prematurely

Antonyms

• late, tardily

Translations

Noun

early (plural earlies)

1. (informal) A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place early in the day.

Antonyms

• late

Anagrams

• Arely, Arley, Layer, Leary, Raley, Rayle, layer, leary, re-lay, relay