| ahead | (adj) having the leading position or higher score in a contest, Syn. leading, in the lead, Example: he is ahead by a pawn; the leading team in the pennant race |
| ahead | (adv) at or in the front, Syn. in front, before, Example: 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 |
| ahead | (adv) toward the future; forward in time, Syn. forward, Ant. backward, back, Example: I like to look ahead in imagination to what the future may bring; I look forward to seeing you |
| ahead | (adv) in a forward direction, Syn. forrader, forward, onward, forwards, onwards, Example: go ahead; the train moved ahead slowly; the boat lurched ahead; moved onward into the forest; they went slowly forward in the mud |
| ahead | (adv) ahead of time; in anticipation, Syn. in advance, beforehand, Example: when you pay ahead (or in advance) you receive a discount; We like to plan ahead; should have made reservations beforehand |
| ahead | (adv) to a more advanced or advantageous position, Example: a young man sure to get ahead; pushing talented students ahead |
| ahead | (adv) to a different or a more advanced time (meaning advanced either toward the present or toward the future), Example: moved the appointment ahead from Tuesday to Monday; pushed the deadline ahead from Tuesday to Wednesday |
| ahead | (adv) leading or ahead in a competition, Syn. out front, in the lead, Example: 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 |
| ahead of the game | (adv) in an advantageous position, Example: she's ahead of the game |
