ahead Meaning & Definition
What Does Ahead Mean?
Ahead is an adverb or adjective that means in a forward direction or position. It can also mean in front.
Ahead at a Glance
| Part of speech | adverb or adjective |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ə-ˈhed/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | forward, leading and before |
| Antonyms | back, backward and after |
| First known use | 1568 |
Ahead Definition (Adverb Or Adjective)
- in a forward direction or position : forward
- in front
- in, into, or for the future
plan ahead
- in or toward a more advantageous position
helped others to get ahead
- at or to an earlier time : in advance
make payments ahead
- in or into a leading position in a race or competition
a politician who is running ahead in most polls / Josh Carter scored from a yard out and the Pride added a two-point conversion to surge ahead 14-7.
- in or into the situation of having thrown more strikes than balls to a batter
Home run threat Mark Reynolds was up next with the bases loaded, but Colon quickly got ahead 1-2 in the count and struck the third baseman out swinging with a … fastball.
- in or into the situation of having a count of more balls than strikes
Albert Pujols got ahead 3-1 and then lined one into the seats in left for his 20th home run of the year and second of the series.
Synonyms of Ahead
Antonyms of Ahead
Ahead in a Sentence
The island was directly ahead.
Just ahead you can see the cliffs.
Keep going straight ahead.
He finished two laps ahead of me.
In all of his classes Jack was ahead.
There may be tough times ahead.
You've got to think ahead so as not to be unprepared.
Set the clock ahead an hour.
Push the deadline ahead a day, from the 20th to the 21st.
He paid his rent ahead.
Push the deadline ahead a day, from the 21st to the 20th.
plan ahead
helped others to get ahead
make payments ahead
a politician who is running ahead in most polls
Josh Carter scored from a yard out and the Pride added a two-point conversion to surge ahead 14-7.
Home run threat Mark Reynolds was up next with the bases loaded, but Colon quickly got ahead 1-2 in the count and struck the third baseman out swinging with a … fastball.
Albert Pujols got ahead 3-1 and then lined one into the seats in left for his 20th home run of the year and second of the series.
call ahead for reservations
sent me ahead to get a place in the check-out line while she went to get the eggs and milk
the line moved ahead at a snail's pace
a politician who is running ahead in most polls / Josh Carter scored from a yard out and the Pride added a two-point conversion to surge ahead 14-7.
Word Forms & Grammar
ahead
ahead (not comparable)
Words That Rhyme With Ahead
Origin of Ahead
From a- + head. Perhaps originally a nautical term, beyond the head (of a ship), then drifting into more general English usage where it is used to describe something as being in front of.
First Known Use
1568
How to Pronounce Ahead
Ahead is pronounced /ə-ˈhed/ and has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (hed).
Questions People Ask About Ahead
What part of speech is ahead?
Ahead is an adverb or adjective.
What is another word for ahead?
You can replace ahead with words such as forward, leading and before. See the full list of ahead synonyms and antonyms.