ahead

A2 Topic:Describing Qualities

Also spelled a-head

US /əˈhɛd/ See IPA manual

Freq #546

Meanings

1

adv
In front, or in the direction you are facing or moving.

The island was directly ahead.
2

adv
In or for the future.

There may be tough times ahead.
3

adv
Winning or in a better position than others in a competition.

The horse was three lengths ahead going into the final stretch.
4

adv
Making good progress toward success.

She worked extra hours in hopes of getting ahead at work.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adv · in front, or in the... forwards

3 adv · winning or in a better... out front

Opposites

astern behind

Word family

Derived forms aheadnessfreeze-aheadgo-aheadreadaheadtypeahead

Appears in

Phrases (5)

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went ahead
continued with a planned action despite a difficulty or objection

Verb + adverb
get ahead
to become more successful or improve one's position

Verb + adverb
look ahead
To think about or plan for what may happen in the future.

Verb + adverb
move ahead
to advance forward in space or progress through a process

Verb + adverb
pull ahead
to gain a leading position in a race or competition

Verb + adverb

Idioms (2)

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Proverbs (3)

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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".

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

# ahead

**Type:** Word
**Level:** A2
**Part of speech:** adv
**IPA (US):** /əˈhɛd/
**Frequency rank:** 546

## Meanings
1. In front, or in the direction you are facing or moving.
2. In or for the future.
3. Winning or in a better position than others in a competition.
4. Making good progress toward success.

## Examples
- The island was directly ahead.
- There may be tough times ahead.
- The horse was three lengths ahead going into the final stretch.
- She worked extra hours in hopes of getting ahead at work.

## Antonyms
- astern
- behind

## Derived Forms
- aheadness
- freeze-ahead
- go-ahead
- readahead
- typeahead

## 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".

## AI Etymology
Ahead comes from a- plus 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". The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern adverbial form is built from the named base and affix.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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ahead

Meanings

Thesaurus

Appears in

Phrases (5)

Idioms (2)

Proverbs (3)

Etymology

Topics

External links

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