early adopter

Meaning

An 'early adopter' is someone who starts using a new product, technology, or service as soon as it becomes available, before the general public does. These individuals are usually tech-savvy, willing to accept minor bugs, and eager to try the latest innovations. The term is highly common in business, marketing, and tech circles.

Examples

• As an early adopter, she bought the first-generation VR headset despite the high price tag.

  As an early adopter, she bought the first-generation VR headset despite the high price tag.

• Tech startups rely heavily on early adopters to find bugs and suggest new features.

  Tech startups rely heavily on early adopters to find bugs and suggest new features.

• I'm not much of an early adopter; I prefer to wait until a new phone model has been out for a year.

  I'm not much of an early adopter; I prefer to wait until a new phone model has been out for a year.

• The company offered special discounts to early adopters who signed up for the beta test.

  The company offered special discounts to early adopters who signed up for the beta test.

• Being an early adopter can be frustrating when the software you bought gets discontinued.

  Being an early adopter can be frustrating when the software you bought gets discontinued.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He is an early adapter of this technology.

  ✓ He is an early adopter of this technology.

  'Adopter' (from 'to adopt' or start using) is often misspelled as 'adapter' (a device used to connect different hardware parts).

• ✗ They adopted early the new software.

  ✓ They were early adopters of the new software.

  While 'adopted early' is grammatically possible, using the noun phrase 'early adopters' is the standard way to describe this group of users.

Related Expressions

Practice

• My brother is an ___ who always buys the latest smart home gadgets on day one.

  💡 A person who buys new technology first.

  Show answer

  early adopter

• If you want to attract ___ , you need to offer a truly unique and innovative product.

  💡 Plural form of people who try new tech first.

  Show answer

  early adopters