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Synonyms

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.


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

"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

adverb

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

  2. onwards; forwards

    go straight ahead

    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

  3. informal to have an advantage; be winning

    to be ahead on points

  4. 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
ahead More Idioms  

Etymology

Origin of ahead

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

His statement came ahead of a Friday deadline for the company to get on board with the Pentagon’s demands or else face some pretty dire consequences.

From The Wall Street Journal

We asked loyalty customers what else they wanted, and ordering ahead was the No. 1 thing they requested.

From The Wall Street Journal

Blank signage erected around the town ahead of the meter rollout has been defaced with the same word: "Resist".

From BBC

The Gunners finished second last season for the third successive campaign, 36 points ahead of 17th-placed Spurs.

From BBC

Bottom side Wolves are all but relegated after picking up just 13 points from 29 games and Burnley are only six points ahead of them in 18th.

From BBC