sooner

¹

[soo-ner]

adverb

1. the comparative form of soon.

2. within a shorter period.

   That day will come sooner than you think.

3. earlier.

   I just wish I'd done it sooner.

4. in preference to something else; more willingly or readily; rather.

   We might sooner trust the wind than trust our own frail resolutions.

5. more likely or easily.

   It's a color you might sooner expect to find on a Lamborghini than on a BMW.

sooner

²

[soo-ner]

noun

1. a person who settles on government land before it is legally opened to settlers in order to gain the choice of location.

2. a person who gains an unfair advantage by getting ahead of others.

Sooner

³

[soo-ner]

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Oklahoma the Sooner State (used as a nickname).

sooner

/ ˈsuːnə /

adverb

1. the comparative of soon

   he came sooner than I thought

2. rather; in preference

   I'd sooner die than give up

3. immediately after or when

   no sooner had he got home than the rain stopped

   no sooner said than done

4. eventually; inevitably

Usage

When is sometimes used instead of than after no sooner, but this use is generally regarded as incorrect: no sooner had he arrived than (not when ) the telephone rang

Word History and Origins

Origin of sooner¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English soner(e), sonor(e), sonre; soon ( def. ) + -er ⁵ ( def. )

Origin of sooner²

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; soon + -er ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. sooner or later, eventually.

   Sooner or later his luck will run out.

2. would sooner, to prefer to; to prefer that.

   I would sooner not go to their party.

   I'd sooner you did the recording, as you're better at it than I am.

Example Sentences

The team is concentrating instead on what it insists will be a bright future, one that will arrive sooner rather than later.

From Los Angeles Times

"The sooner we get to a full resolution, the better."

From BBC

If I had of spoke up sooner, would that have protected other victims?

From BBC

Elissa thinks this played a part in the signs being missed and constipation not being diagnosed sooner.

From BBC

Judge Giorgi Gelashvili ruled that she will remain in custody until the next hearing on 9 October unless an agreement is reached sooner.

From BBC

Related Words

• ahead 
• back 
• previously 
• since 

When To Use

What else does Sooner mean?

A Sooner is a person who lives in the state of Oklahoma.It is also a nickname for students and athletes at the University of Oklahoma.