ahead meaning and definition

AHEAD adjective

Definition of ahead (adjective)

1. having the leading position or higher score in a contest
   • "he is ahead by a pawn"; "the leading team in the pennant race"
   • synonyms: in the lead, leading

AHEAD adverb

Definition of ahead (adverb)

1. at or in the front
   • "I see the lights of a town ahead"; "the road ahead is foggy"; "staring straight ahead"; "we couldn't see over the heads of the people in front"; "with the cross of Jesus marching on before"
   • synonyms: before, in front
2. toward the future; forward in time
   • "I like to look ahead in imagination to what the future may bring"; "I look forward to seeing you"
   • synonyms: forward
   • antonym: back
3. in a forward direction
   • "go ahead"; "the train moved ahead slowly"; "the boat lurched ahead"; "moved onward into the forest"; "they went slowly forward in the mud"
   • synonyms: forrader, forward, forwards, onward, onwards
4. ahead of time; in anticipation
   • "when you pay ahead (or in advance) you receive a discount"; "We like to plan ahead"; "should have made reservations beforehand"
   • synonyms: beforehand, in advance
5. to a more advanced or advantageous position
   • "a young man sure to get ahead"; "pushing talented students ahead"
6. to a different or a more advanced time (meaning advanced either toward the present or toward the future)
   • "moved the appointment ahead from Tuesday to Monday"; "pushed the deadline ahead from Tuesday to Wednesday"
7. leading or ahead in a competition
   • "the horse was three lengths ahead going into the home stretch"; "ahead by two pawns"; "our candidate is in the lead in the polls"; "way out front in the race"; "the advertising campaign put them out front in sales"
   • synonyms: in the lead, out front