The term "early adopter" refers to individuals who are among the first to use, acquire or adopt a new product, service or technology. These people tend to be innovative and willing to take risks in order to try out something that is not yet widely available or accepted by the general public. They often have an interest in being on the cutting edge of technology and are usually eager to provide feedback and share their experiences with others. Early adopters play a crucial role in helping companies test new products, services or technologies before they are released to the broader market, as well as providing valuable insights into how these can be improved upon based on real-world usage.