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View synonyms for

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

/ əˈɛ /

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

  3. ahead of
    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. be ahead informal.
    to have an advantage; be winning

    to be ahead on points

  5. 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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of ahead1

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

Examples have not been reviewed.

Thousands of Scots are preparing to pay their final respects to Pope Francis ahead of his funeral in Rome.

From

Looking ahead, Mr Yeyati says that if Brazil and Argentina do end up enjoying a big rise in exports to the US, it could result in them getting higher tariffs from Trump.

From

Munster were twice ahead including a 21-12 lead early in the second half with tries by Calvin Nash, Mike Haley and Tom Farrell.

From

"There is a 26.2 mile course between me and that at the moment, so I don't need to get ahead of myself," she says.

From

As someone who has never slowed down and never stopped looking ahead, Gurr is asked what his message would be to those entrusted with ensuring that Disneyland is prepared for its next 70 years.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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AHEahead of one's time