ahead

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   at or in the front

   I see the lights of a town ahead

2. 2
   adv

   in a forward direction

   go ahead

3. 3
   adv

   leading or ahead in a competition

   the horse was three lengths ahead going into the home stretch

4. 4
   adv

   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

5. 5
   adv

   to a more advanced or advantageous position

   I created a portfolio in hopes of getting ahead.

6. 6
   adv

   At or towards the front; in the direction one is facing or moving.

   The island was directly ahead.

7. 7
   adv

   So as to be further advanced, either spatially or in an abstract sense; to be superior.

   He finished two laps ahead of me.

8. 8
   adv

   In or for the future.

   There may be tough times ahead.

Etymology

From a- + head. Perhaps originally a nautical term, "beyond the head (of a ship)", then drifting into more general English usage where it is used to describe something as being "in front of".