Definition

1. Adverb:

   • In front; in advance; further forward in space or time: Used to indicate a position that is in front of another or a point that is earlier or later than a reference point.
   • In a leading or winning position: Used to indicate being in front in a competition, race, or comparison.
   • Forward; onward; into the future: Used to indicate movement in a forward direction or progression in time.

2. Adjective:

   • Being in a leading or superior position: Describes someone or something that is winning or more advanced.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:

  • Look ahead on the road for any obstacles. (Indicating spatial position)
  • Our team is five points ahead. (Indicating a leading position in a score)
  • We need to plan ahead for the project. (Indicating future time)
  • The car moved slowly ahead through the traffic. (Indicating forward movement)

• Adjective:

  • The ahead team maintained their lead until the finish line.
  • She is ahead in all her classes.

Advanced Usage

• "to be ahead of one's time": To have ideas or creations that are too advanced for the present period.

  • The inventor's designs were so innovative that he was ahead of his time.

• "to get ahead": To become successful or to make progress, especially in one's career or financially.

  • He worked hard to get ahead in his company.

• "to go ahead": To proceed with a plan or action; often used to give permission.

  • The manager said we could go ahead with the proposal.

Variants and Related Words

• Ahead of (prepositional phrase): In front of; earlier than.

  • She arrived ahead of schedule.

• Straight ahead (adverbial phrase): Directly in front.

  • The museum is straight ahead at the end of this street.

Synonyms

• In front
• In advance
• Leading
• Forward
• Onward

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• Pull ahead: To move into a leading position.

  • The runner pulled ahead in the final lap.

• Push ahead: To continue with something with determination.

  • Despite the difficulties, they decided to push ahead with the construction.

Related Idioms

• "Ahead of the curve": Being more advanced or prepared than others.

  • Their research on renewable energy puts them ahead of the curve.

• "The road ahead": The future and what it may bring.

  • We are optimistic about the road ahead for our business.

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

Adverb

1. 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
2. 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
3. to a more advanced or advantageous position
   • a young man sure to get ahead
   • pushing talented students ahead
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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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