ahead

[ uh-hed ]

/ əˈhɛd /

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See synonyms for ahead on Thesaurus.com

adverb

in or to the front; in advance of; before: Walk ahead of us.

in a forward direction; onward; forward: The line of cars moved ahead slowly.

into or for the future: Plan ahead.

so as to register a later time: to set the clock ahead.

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.

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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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about ahead

ahead of,

in front of; before:He ran ahead of me.
superior to; beyond: materially ahead of other countries.
in advance of; at an earlier time than: We got there ahead of the other guests.

be ahead,

to be winning: Our team is ahead by two runs.
to be in a position of advantage; be benefiting: His score in mathematics is poor, but he's ahead in foreign languages.

Origin of ahead

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

Words nearby ahead

à haute voix, Ahaz, Ahaziah, ahchoo, AHE, ahead, ahead of one's time, ahead of the game, ahead of time, ahem, ahemeral

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ahead in a sentence

Having spent her career behind the scenes, she acknowledges fear about what is ahead for her.
A devastating picture of Trump’s coronavirus response — from a firsthand witness|Aaron Blake|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
It’s right in that vicinity either before or just shortly after, which is years ahead of schedule.
Election live updates: Trump returns to Wisconsin; Biden to face live audience at town hall|Colby Itkowitz, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
McCarthy has made clear his concerns that it would only backfire by giving vulnerable Democrats a chance to separate themselves from Pelosi just ahead of an election where she’s unpopular in some of the GOP-leaning districts they represent.
Trump moves closer to Pelosi in economic aid talks, and House speaker must decide next move|Rachael Bade, Erica Werner|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
She said in an interview that she would be skeptical of any vaccine produced ahead of the election because of worries its release was due to political pressure.
Former Pence aide says she will vote for Biden because of Trump’s ‘flat out disregard for human life’ during pandemic|Josh Dawsey|September 17, 2020|Washington Post

To solve this problem, Insider has been ramping up its first-party data platform Sága ahead of the full decimation of third-party cookies.
‘We’re about hiring journalists’: Insider Inc. launches third global news hub in Singapore|Lucinda Southern|September 17, 2020|Digiday
In secret, before the referendum, the council went ahead and fluoridated the water anyway.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
Bush busy engaging constituents on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate ahead of the 2004 presidential election.
Jeb Bush’s Unseen Anti-Gay Marriage Emails|Jackie Kucinich|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They let us get ahead of the outfit, then the rest of the guys came in.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Everything was moving ahead smoothly, and continued to for the rest of the year.
The Insurance Company Promised a Gender Reassignment. Then They Made a Mistake.|James Joiner|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But in the days ahead he, his brother, and the others will be back in the street while their families worry at home.
Choking Back Tears, Thousands of Cops Honor Fallen Officer Ramos|Michael Daly|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Suddenly, however, he became aware of a small black spot far ahead in the very middle of the unencumbered track.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
The thought seemed to produce the dreaded object, for next moment a large hummock appeared right ahead.
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
But there was no shadow ahead of him this night; there was no somber thing to bend down the high serenity of his happy heart.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
Neither of us spoke again, and at length the squat log buildings of Pend d' Oreille loomed ahead of us in the night.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
I've been sailing one way for ever so long, because I don't know how to turn around; but there's a landing-place just ahead.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl

British Dictionary definitions for ahead

ahead

/ (əˈhɛd) /

adjective

(postpositive) in front; in advance

adverb

at or in the front; in advance; before

onwards; forwardsgo straight ahead

ahead of

in front of; at a further advanced position than
stock exchange in anticipation ofthe share price rose ahead of the annual figures

be ahead informal to have an advantage; be winningto be ahead on points

get ahead to advance or attain success

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with ahead

ahead

In addition to the idioms beginning with ahead

ahead of one's time
ahead of the game
ahead of time

also see:

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

ahead

Idioms about ahead

Origin of ahead

Words nearby ahead

Words related to ahead

How to use ahead in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ahead

Other Idioms and Phrases with ahead