adv · 13 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/əˈhɛd/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
UK:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɛd
CMU ARPABET:AH0 HH EH1 D
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adv
Meaning 1
At or towards the front; in the direction one is facing or moving.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
The island was directly ahead.
Just ahead you can see the cliffs.
Keep going straight ahead.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adv
Meaning 2
So as to be further advanced, either spatially or in an abstract sense; to be superior.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
He finished two laps ahead of me.
In all of his classes Jack was ahead.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adv
Meaning 3
In or for the future.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
There may be tough times ahead.
You've got to think ahead so as not to be unprepared.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adv
Meaning 4
To a later time.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
Set the clock ahead an hour.
Push the deadline ahead a day, from the 20th to the 21st.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adv
Meaning 5
At an earlier time; beforehand; in advance.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
He paid his rent ahead.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
adv
Meaning 6
To an earlier time.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
Push the deadline ahead a day, from the 21st to the 20th.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
adverb
Meaning 7
at or in the front
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
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
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: in front, before
Antonyms: none provided
8
adverb
Meaning 8
ahead of time; in anticipation
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
when you pay ahead (or in advance) you receive a discount
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
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: out front, in the lead
Antonyms: none provided
11
adverb
Meaning 11
to a different or a more advanced time (meaning advanced either toward the present or toward the future)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
moved the appointment ahead from Tuesday to Monday
pushed the deadline ahead from Tuesday to Wednesday
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
12
adverb
Meaning 12
to a more advanced or advantageous position
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a young man sure to get ahead
pushing talented students ahead
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
13
adverb
Meaning 13
toward the future; forward in time
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
I like to look ahead in imagination to what the future may bring
I look forward to seeing you
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: forward
Antonyms: back
History
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.
Across languages
Translations
56 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bulgarian:
отпред
(otpred)
— in or to the front
Bulgarian:
напред
(napred)
— in or to the front
Catalan:
en front de
— in or to the front
Catalan:
al davant de
— in or to the front
Catalan:
davant
— in or to the front
Chickasaw:
ímmayya
— in or to the front
Dutch:
voor ons
— in or to the front
Dutch:
vooruit
— in or to the front
Dutch:
voorop
— in or to the front
Erzya:
икелепеле
(ikelepele)
— in or to the front
Esperanto:
antaŭe
— in or to the front
Finnish:
edellä
— in or to the front
Finnish:
edessä
— in or to the front
French:
devant
— in or to the front
German:
vorn
— in or to the front
German:
voraus
— in or to the front
Italian:
avanti
— in or to the front
Japanese:
先に
(saki ni)
— in or to the front
Mirandese:
alantre
— in or to the front
Navajo:
alą́ąjįʼ
— in or to the front
Norwegian Bokmål:
foran
— in or to the front
Polish:
z przodu
— in or to the front
Portuguese:
à frente
— in or to the front
Portuguese:
para frente
— in or to the front
Romanian:
înainte
— in or to the front
Romanian:
în fața
— in or to the front
Russian:
вперёд
(vperjód)
— in or to the front
Russian:
впереди́
(vperedí)
— in or to the front
Spanish:
al frente de
— in or to the front
Spanish:
delante de
— in or to the front
Spanish:
adelante
— in or to the front
Tonga (Zambia):
kumbele
— in or to the front
Ukrainian:
впере́д
(vperéd)
— in or to the front
Ukrainian:
попе́реду
(popéredu)
— in or to the front
Zazaki:
raver
— in or to the front
ǃXóõ:
ǂhàã
— in or to the front
Finnish:
edellä
— so as to be further advanced
Italian:
avanti
— so as to be further advanced
Norwegian Bokmål:
foran
— so as to be further advanced
Norwegian Bokmål:
fremfor
— so as to be further advanced
Finnish:
edessä
— in or for the future
Finnish:
ennalta
— in or for the future
Italian:
anticipatamente
— in or for the future
Italian:
al futuro
— in or for the future
Italian:
anzitempo
— in or for the future
Norwegian Bokmål:
fremover
— in or for the future
Norwegian Bokmål:
fremover
— to a later time
Norwegian Bokmål:
forover
— to a later time
Finnish:
etuajassa
— at an earlier time
Hebrew:
מֵרֹאשׁ
(merósh)
— at an earlier time
Italian:
antecedentemente
— at an earlier time
Italian:
in anticipo
— at an earlier time
Norwegian Bokmål:
forskuddsvis
— at an earlier time
Norwegian Bokmål:
på forskudd
— at an earlier time
