ahead
ahead
Pronunciation
ahead: /əˈhɛd/
a-: /ə/ (schwa)
-head: /hɛd/
Word Form Variations
"Ahead" is primarily an adverb or a preposition. As such, it does not typically have singular/plural forms, or other inflections like verbs (e.g., past tense, present participle) or nouns (e.g., plural). It remains constant in its form.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Definition 1: In a forward direction; to the front.
Synonyms: forward, onward, in front, before
Antonyms: behind, backward, astern
Example: The runner sprinted ahead of the pack.
Definition 2: In advance; at an earlier time or stage.
Synonyms: in advance, beforehand, early, preemptively
Antonyms: behind schedule, late, afterward
Example: We need to plan ahead if we want to finish on time.
Definition 3: Having an advantage or being in a superior position.
Synonyms: winning, leading, superior, in the lead
Antonyms: losing, trailing, behind, disadvantaged
Example: Our team is ahead by two points.
Definition 4: Into the future.
Synonyms: in the future, eventually, later on, subsequently
Antonyms: in the past, previously, formerly
Example: There are many challenges ahead.
Preposition
Definition 1: Further forward than (something or someone).
Synonyms: in front of, before, beyond
Antonyms: behind, after
Example:The car ahead of us suddenly stopped.
Examples of Use
Books:
"He closed his eyes and saw the long road ahead, stretching into an uncertain future." (From The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, September 2020)
"There's a storm brewing ahead, and we need to be prepared." (From Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, August 2018)
Newspapers:
"The Federal Reserve signaled that interest rate cuts could be ahead later this year, depending on inflation data." (From The Wall Street Journal)
"Local officials urged residents to look ahead to the upcoming budget discussions with an open mind." (The Boston Globe)
Online Publications:
"While AI presents incredible opportunities, there are significant ethical challenges ahead that need careful consideration." (From an article on Wired.com)
"Google unveiled new features for Workspace, aiming to stay ahead of competitors in the productivity suite market." (From an article on TechCrunch.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Looks like we've got trouble ahead." (Common line in adventure films, often spoken by a character spotting danger, e.g., Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, June 1981)
Television Series: "We're going to need a bigger boat if we want to get ahead of this situation." (Dialogue from a procedural drama, e.g., NCIS, May 2024 episode)
Music: "And the road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the road has gone, and I must follow if I can." (Lyrics from "The Road Goes Ever On" by J.R.R. Tolkien, often set to music, e.g., in The Lord of the Rings film scores)
Video Games: "You are far ahead of your rival in the race!" (In-game notification in a racing game, e.g., Forza Horizon 5, November 2021)
Podcasts: "Our next guest will talk about what's ahead for the cryptocurrency market in the coming months." (From a financial news podcast, June 2024)
General Public Discourse:
"I'm really looking ahead to my vacation next month." (Common conversational phrase)
"We need to think ahead and plan for potential contingencies." (Spoken in a business meeting)
"Watch out! There's a deer ahead!" (Warning shouted by a driver)
10 Quotes Using Ahead
"The secret of getting ahead is getting started." (Mark Twain)
"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us." (Henry David Thoreau)
"It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe." (Muhammad Ali)
"We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty there that needs to be done." (Alan Turing)
"It's better to look ahead and prepare, than to look back and regret." (Jackie Joyner-Kersee)
"If you want to sacrifice the admiration of many men for the criticism of one, go ahead, get married." (Katharine Hepburn)
"For me life is continuously being hungry. The meaning of life is not simply to exist, to survive, but to move ahead, to go up, to achieve, to conquer." (Arnold Schwarzenegger)
"If it's a good idea, go ahead and do it. It's much easier to apologize than it is to get permission." (Grace Hopper)
"Nobody gets to live life backward. Look ahead, that is where your future lies." (Ann Landers)
"If you can't go straight ahead, you go around the corner." (Cher)
Etymology
The word "ahead" is a combination of two older English words: "a-" and "head."
The "a-" part comes from an Old English word, "an," which meant "on" or "in." Think of how we still use "ashore" (on shore) or "asleep" (in sleep).
The "head" part comes from the Old English word "heafod," meaning "head" in the usual sense of the top part of the body.
So, when these two parts came together, "ahead" literally meant something like "on the head" or "at the head."
Its first known use was around the mid-1500s, specifically documented in 1530. It initially had a very literal meaning, often used in a nautical (sailing) context. Imagine a ship: "ahead" would mean "at the front part of the ship" or "in a forward direction." This was the opposite of "astern," which meant at the back.
Over time, the meaning of "ahead" broadened from just a physical location to include ideas of being in front in a more general sense, like being in the lead in a race, or even looking towards the future.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Ahead
Go ahead: To proceed; to give permission.
Straight ahead: Directly forward; without turning.
Get ahead: To succeed; to make progress.
Look ahead: To plan for the future; to anticipate.
Be ahead of the curve: To be more advanced or innovative than others.
Forge ahead: To make strong and steady progress.
Miles ahead: Significantly superior or advanced.
Ahead of time: Earlier than scheduled or expected.
Stay ahead: To maintain a lead or advantage.
Ahead of the game: In a strong, advantageous position, often having prepared well.
Get a jump ahead: To start with an early advantage.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of ahead from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
