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. 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

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

Related Words

• advanced
• along
• before
• earlier
• forward