early bird

noun

1
: an early riser
2
: one that arrives early and especially before possible competitors

Examples of early bird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some of the bodily clocks that affect you every day are the sleep-wake, or circadian, rhythm and your chronotype, which is the body’s natural timing preference—often described as being either an early bird or a night owl. — Masha Remskar, Scientific American, 29 Aug. 2026 For those renewing, some clubs prevent access to the cheapest ‘early bird’ phase if paying by direct debit. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Some of the bodily clocks that affect you every day are the sleep-wake, or circadian, rhythm and your chronotype, which is the body’s natural timing preference – often described as being either an early bird or a night owl. — Masha Remskar, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026 Night owls and early birds can expect another round of lane closures on Interstate 70 near Floyd Hill this week as crews work on building a bridge over the interstate, Colorado Department of Transportation officials said. — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for early bird

Word History

Etymology

from the proverb, "the early bird catches the worm"

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of early bird was in 1830

Rhymes for early bird

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Browse Nearby Words

Early American
early bird
early bite
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Early bird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/early%20bird. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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