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

Related Words

• advanced
• along
• before
• earlier
• forward