leading
0 antonyms and opposites of leading, grouped by meaning.
Adjective — Most important or most prominent; ranking first.
How to use leading
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From lead (the verb, "to guide") plus -ing; the typography sense comes from the old practice of inserting thin strips of lead between lines of metal type.
Full origin of leading →Frequently asked questions
What does “leading” mean?
The word “leading” means most important or most prominent; ranking first. In plain terms, coming first or guiding the way — or, in design, the gap between lines of text.
How do you pronounce “leading”?
“Leading” is pronounced LEE-dihng (/ˈlidɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “leading” in a sentence?
Here is “leading” used in a sentence: “She plays the leading role in the new film.”
What part of speech is “leading”?
Depending on how it is used, “leading” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “leading” a common word?
“Leading” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “leading” have?
“Leading” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: most important or most prominent; ranking first.
What does 'leading' mean when describing a company or person?
It means the most important, successful, or prominent in its field — ranking first among rivals. A 'leading company' is at the front of its industry; a 'leading expert' is among the most respected in their subject. The word marks something as a front-runner rather than merely good.
What is the difference between 'leading' and 'top'?
Both suggest the highest rank, and they often work as synonyms — a 'leading brand' and a 'top brand' are similar. 'Top' is a little more casual and can simply mean best or highest. 'Leading' adds the sense of being out in front and setting the direction others follow.
What is an example of 'leading' used as an adjective?
You will see it before a noun to mark first rank: 'the leading cause of delays,' 'a leading newspaper,' 'the leading role in a play,' or 'the country's leading scientist.' In each case, 'leading' singles the thing out as the most important, prominent, or foremost of its kind.
Does 'leading' always mean 'most important'?
In this adjective sense, yes — it marks something as foremost or ranking first. But the same spelling has other meanings: as a verb form it means guiding or being ahead, as in 'leading the way,' and in printing, 'leading' is the spacing between lines of text. Context shows which is meant.