From metathesis of an earlier form, compare Turkish ileri. Cognate with Old Turkic 𐰃𐰠𐰏𐰼𐰇 (il²gr²ü /⁠ilgerü⁠/), Kipchak ilgari, Bashkir элгәре (elgəre, “earlier; first”). Ultimately a derivation from Proto-Turkic *il(i)k (“front, before; East;”), whence also Azerbaijani ilk (“first”).