ahead
ahead
/əˈhɛd/ adv
1 a : in or toward the front
The road stretched ahead for many miles.
Someone was standing in the road (up) ahead.
We knew the way ahead [=forward] was difficult, but we persevered.
“Full speed ahead!” shouted the captain.
He was looking straight ahead. [=directly forward]
1 b : to or toward the place where someone is going
I can't leave yet. You go on ahead. I'll catch up later.
She was delayed at the airport so she sent her bags ahead to the hotel.
2 : in, into, or for the future
We need to think/plan ahead.
The past year has been successful and, looking ahead, we expect to do even better in the coming months.
We have some hard work ahead.
He expects to be very busy in the weeks ahead.
We don't know what lies ahead.
We'll pause now for a commercial. The weather report is just ahead. [=the weather report will be broadcast after the commercial]
3 : in the lead in a race or competition
They were trailing by 5 points earlier in the game, but now they're ahead [=winning] by 7.
They scored three runs to go ahead by two.
a politician who is ahead in the polls
We're winning now, but we have to work hard to stay/keep ahead.
4 : in or toward a better position
I came out $20 ahead on the deal. [=I made a profit of $20 on the deal]
He's very ambitious. He'll do anything to get ahead. [=to become successful]
5 : at an earlier time
She prepared most of the food ahead. [=ahead of time]
make payments ahead
