ahead

American  

[uh-hed] / əˈhɛd /

adverb

1. in or to the front; in advance of; before.

   Walk ahead of us.

2. in a forward direction; onward; forward.

   The line of cars moved ahead slowly.

3. into or for the future.

   Plan ahead.

4. so as to register a later time.

   to set the clock ahead.

5. at or to a different time, either earlier or later.

   to push a deadline ahead one day from Tuesday to Monday; to push a deadline ahead one day from Tuesday to Wednesday.

6. onward toward success; to a more advantageous position; upward in station.

   There's a young man who is sure to get ahead.

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idioms

1. ahead of,

   1. in front of; before.

      He ran ahead of me.

   2. superior to; beyond.

      materially ahead of other countries.

   3. in advance of; at an earlier time than.

      We got there ahead of the other guests.

2. be ahead,

   1. to be winning.

      Our team is ahead by two runs.

   2. to be in a position of advantage; be benefiting.

      His score in mathematics is poor, but he's ahead in foreign languages.

ahead British  

/ əˈhɛd /

adjective

1. (postpositive) in front; in advance

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adverb

1. at or in the front; in advance; before

2. onwards; forwards

   go straight ahead

3. 1. in front of; at a further advanced position than

   2. stock exchange in anticipation of

      the share price rose ahead of the annual figures

4. informal to have an advantage; be winning

   to be ahead on points

5. to advance or attain success

ahead More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing ahead

• come out ahead
• dead ahead
• full speed ahead
• get ahead
• go ahead
• one jump ahead
• quit while one's ahead

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Etymology

Origin of ahead

First recorded in 1590–1600; a- ¹ + head

Example Sentences

Tesla shares hit an intraday record high a few bucks shy of $500 last week as investors shrugged off falling electric vehicle sales and looked ahead to the company’s robotaxis and humanoid robot offerings.

From MarketWatch

Traffic on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena will be replaced by barbecues, folding chairs and coolers starting Wednesday night ahead of the 137th Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day.

From Los Angeles Times

So you'd have to be very sure of yourself - or very foolish - to try and predict what's going to happen in the year ahead.

From BBC

Officials are hopeful that incoming New Year’s storms will keep improving the snowpack ahead of the next survey in early February.

From Los Angeles Times

There is good reason, therefore, why their fans are cautious about getting ahead of themselves and celebrating too early.

From BBC

Related Words

• advanced
• along
• before
• earlier
• forward