ahead

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ahead

/əˈhɛd/

Rhymes with -ɛd

Where it comes from

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.

adverb

not comparable At or towards the front; in the direction one is facing or moving. The island was directly ahead.
not comparable So as to be further advanced, either spatially or in an abstract sense; to be superior. He finished two laps ahead of me.
not comparable In or for the future. There may be tough times ahead.
not comparable To a later time. Set the clock ahead an hour.
not comparable At an earlier time; beforehand; in advance. He paid his rent ahead.
not comparable To an earlier time. Push the deadline ahead a day, from the 21st to the 20th.

Opposite: astern, behind

Thesaurus

Closest in meaning: forwards, forward, forrader, onwards, onward, up, leading, beforehand, before, in advance, in front, out front, forth, front, progress, advance

adverb

Opposite: astern, behind

Translations

Every language

adv at an earlier time

Português	ahdiantado
Italiano	antecedentemente, in anticipo
עברית	מֵרֹאשׁ merósh

adv in or to the front

Español	al frente de, delante de, adelante
日本語	先に saki ni
Português	à frente, para frente
Français	devant
Deutsch	vorn, voraus
Italiano	avanti
Română	înainte, în fața
Русский	вперёд vperjód, впереди́ vperedí

adv so as to be further advanced

Italiano	avanti

adv in or for the future

Italiano	anticipatamente, al futuro, anzitempo

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Cite this

MLA

"ahead." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/ahead. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

ahead. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/ahead

Chicago

"ahead." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/ahead.

BibTeX

@misc{ahead_2026,
  title = {ahead},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/ahead},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}