frühestens

at the earliest

adverb FRUEH-es-tens Rare

Usage Note

frühestens sets a lower time limit: the event cannot happen before the stated time. It is the superlative adverb of früh used in scheduling: frühestens um zehn Uhr ('at ten o'clock at the earliest'). Its antonym is spätestens ('at the latest').

Examples

"Mit dem Ergebnis ist frühestens am Freitag zu rechnen."

Natural Translation

The result can be expected at the earliest on Friday.

Literal Translation

With the result is at-the-earliest on Friday to reckon.

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