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Added 9 October 2026

ahead

/əˈhɛd/ adverb

adverb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about ahead at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

At or towards the front; in the direction one is facing or moving.
The island was directly ahead.
So as to be further advanced, either spatially or in an abstract sense; to be superior.
He finished two laps ahead of me.
In or for the future.
There may be tough times ahead.

Origin

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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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