Ahead meaning

What does “ahead” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“ahead” is an adjective and adverb with 8 meanings. Its most common meaning is: having the leading position or higher score in a contest.

ahead

having the leading position or higher score in a contest
“he is ahead by a pawn”
“the leading team in the pennant race”
Synonymsin the lead leading

at or in the front
“I see the lights of a town ahead”
“the road ahead is foggy”
Synonymsin front before
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”
Synonymsforward
Oppositesback
in a forward direction
“go ahead”
“the train moved ahead slowly”
Synonymsonward onwards forward forwards forrader
ahead of time; in anticipation
“when you pay ahead (or in advance) you receive a discount”
“We like to plan ahead”
Synonymsin advance beforehand
to a more advanced or advantageous position
“a young man sure to get ahead”
“pushing talented students ahead”
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”
leading or ahead in a competition
“the horse was three lengths ahead going into the home stretch”
“ahead by two pawns”
Synonymsout front in the lead

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University