ahead

[uh-hed]

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.

ahead

/ əˈhɛd /

adjective

1. (postpositive) in front; in advance

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ahead¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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.

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

Example Sentences

In the final episode, which was filmed before Sir David's 50th birthday this year, the pair get reflective about everything they have achieved, and what lies ahead for them.

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Polls ahead of May's Holyrood election suggest a big lead for the SNP, with Reform potentially overtaking the Conservatives to challenge Labour for second place, despite never before having won a seat at Holyrood.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Moscow is again targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of winter and has announced new funding to repair damaged facilities and create a reserve of equipment to restore power supplies.

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Looking ahead to the series, the stars also grapple with whether they will be chosen as traitors, or remain faithful.

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"I didn't know what was ahead of me. I didn't know what to expect," he says.

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Related Words

• advanced 
• along 
• before 
• earlier www.thesaurus.com
• forward