What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
oldest
Example
My grandfather is the oldest member of our family. [oldest: superlative adjective]
Example
The oldest building in town dates back to the 18th century. [oldest: adjective]
Example
This is the oldest version of the software that we have. [oldest: adjective]
earliest
Example
I woke up at the earliest hour to catch the sunrise. [earliest: superlative adverb]
Example
The earliest evidence of human civilization dates back to 10,000 BCE. [earliest: adjective]
Example
We need to start planning for the project in its earliest stages. [earliest: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Oldest is more commonly used than earliest in everyday language. Oldest is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while earliest is more specific and tends to be used in academic or technical writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between oldest and earliest?
Both oldest and earliest are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
