ahead
11 synonyms and 2 antonyms for ahead, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adv — In front, or in the direction someone is facing or moving.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use ahead
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Formed from "a-" plus "head" — originally a nautical term meaning "beyond the front of a ship," later used generally to mean "in front."
Full origin of ahead →Frequently asked questions
What does “ahead” mean?
The word “ahead” means in front, or in the direction someone is facing or moving. In plain terms, in front, further along, or further advanced — in space, time, or progress.
How do you pronounce “ahead”?
“Ahead” is pronounced uh-HEHD (/əˈhɛd/ in IPA).
How do you use “ahead” in a sentence?
Here is “ahead” used in a sentence: “The finish line was just ahead.”
What is the opposite of “ahead”?
The opposite of “ahead” — its antonyms — are astern and behind.
What part of speech is “ahead”?
“Ahead” is an adverb.
Is “ahead” a common word?
“Ahead” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “ahead” have?
“Ahead” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in front, or in the direction someone is facing or moving.
What is the opposite of 'ahead'?
The opposite is 'behind,' which means at the back or in the rear rather than in front. 'Ahead' points forward, in the direction you face or move; 'behind' points to what you've passed or left in the rear. 'Back' and 'backward' work as opposites too.
What is the difference between 'ahead' and 'forward'?
The two overlap but differ in feel. 'Ahead' describes a position in front of you — 'the car ahead slowed down.' 'Forward' describes a direction of movement — 'take a step forward.' You move forward toward whatever lies ahead. 'Ahead' tends to answer 'where?', while 'forward' answers 'which way?'
What is an example of 'ahead'?
'The road ahead was clear' places whatever comes next in front of you. 'Ahead' can point in space — 'she ran ahead of the group' — or in time — 'the year ahead.' In each case it looks to what lies in front, whether physically or in the future.