early adopter

Word relationships

• innovator: Broader term, refers to someone who creates new things, but can also apply to the very first to use them.
• trendsetter: Emphasizes their role in popularizing new trends.

• laggard: Someone who is among the last to adopt a new innovation.
• late majority: A segment of the population that adopts an innovation after the average person.

Commonly confused with

• first user: 'First user' is literal, while 'early adopter' implies a specific demographic group with influence and a willingness to try new things.

Word family

• adopt (verb): to take up or start to use or follow
• adoption (noun): the action or fact of adopting or being adopted

Collocations

• key early adopter
• identify early adopters
• target early adopters
• attract early adopters

Example sentences

• "The company relies heavily on feedback from early adopters to refine its products before a wider market release." Discussing the launch of a new smartphone.
• "As an early adopter of virtual reality headsets, she often shares her experiences and insights with online communities." In a tech blog.

Memory hook

Imagine an 'early bird' catching the worm – an 'early adopter' catches the new product before anyone else. Early Bird Product

When not to use

Don't use it for someone who buys a product long after its initial release or someone who is simply forced to adopt a new system (e.g., a mandatory software update at work).

Fun facts

• Early adopters are crucial for product success as their feedback helps companies refine offerings and their enthusiasm can generate buzz.
• The 'diffusion of innovations' theory identifies several categories of adopters, with early adopters being the second group after 'innovators'.

Related words

fad, influencer

Explore more words

trendsetter, pioneer, cutting-edge, trailblazer, innovation, vanguard