ahead
uh-HEHD
Ahead (adv) means In front, or in the direction someone is facing or moving. Example: “There is a petrol station about a mile ahead, on the left.”
adv
1
In front, or in the direction someone is facing or moving.
"There is a petrol station about a mile ahead, on the left."
"The finish line was just ahead."
"Look ahead before crossing the road."
2
More advanced or in a better position than others.
"My sister is two years ahead of me at school, so she helps me with homework."
"Thanks to its new software, the firm moved ahead of its rivals."
"The team is ahead by ten points."
3
In the future, or before something happens.
"Book your tickets well ahead if you want to sit together."
"The weather forecast warns of storms ahead, so bring a coat."
"We need to plan ahead for the holiday rush."
How to use ahead
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn front, further along, or further advanced — in space, time, or progress.
Common pairings
go ahead
plan ahead
stay ahead
ahead of schedule
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There is a petrol station about a mile _____, on the left.
Etymology
Formed from "a-" plus "head" — originally a nautical term meaning "beyond the front of a ship," later used generally to mean "in front."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for ahead
See all rhymes for 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.
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