Definition
Early; at a time before the usual or expected hour.
Example
Ela acorda cedo para tomar café com calma.
Show translation
She wakes up early to have coffee in peace.
Etymology
From Latin *cito*, meaning "quickly" or "soon." Over time in Vulgar Latin and into Portuguese, the sense shifted from speed to earliness in time, giving the modern meaning of "early."
Cultural note
Brazilians often pair *cedo* with morning routines — coffee, exercise, commutes. The phrase *mais cedo ou mais tarde* ("sooner or later") is a fixed expression you'll hear constantly in everyday speech. Note that *cedo* is the opposite of *tarde* (late), so the pair is worth learning together.