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Older vs Earlier - What's the difference?

older | earlier |

As adjectives the difference between older and earlier

is that older is comparative of old, elder, senior while earlier is comparative of early.

As an adverb earlier is

comparative of early.

older

English

Adjective

(head)
  • (old), elder, senior
    • My older' brother and I are Catholic twins. He’s '''older''' by eleven months, not quite a year ' older than me.
  • elderly
    • The thoughtful lad helped an older lady across the street.
    ----

    earlier

    English

    Adjective

    (head)
  • (early)
  • occurring previously
    • I shall be late because I missed the earlier train.

    Adverb

    (head)
  • (early)
  • previously; before now; sooner
    • I shall be late because I didn't start earlier .