Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

ahead

/əˈhɛd/

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: 5.01 in modern English

Syllables
ahead
IPA
/əˈhɛd/
9
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
2
Syllables
4
Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

At or towards the front; in the direction one is facing or moving.

adv

So as to be further advanced, either spatially or in an abstract sense; to be superior.

adv

In or for the future.

adv

To a later time.

adv

At an earlier time; beforehand; in advance.

adv

To an earlier time.

Example Sentences

Etymology

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.

Word Breakdown

Derived Forms

aheadness readahead typeahead

Phrases

ahead of time bound ahead call ahead draw ahead epub ahead of print freeze-ahead go-ahead have one's whole life ahead of one

Frequently Paired Words

ahead of

Synonyms

in the lead leading in front before in advance beforehand onward onwards forward forwards forrader

Antonyms

astern behind

Rhymes With

said read head red instead lead dead led bed spread ed fed

Questions

How do you pronounce ahead?
The recorded pronunciation is /əˈhɛd/.
What does ahead mean?
At or towards the front; in the direction one is facing or moving.
Where does ahead come 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.

How to pronounce ahead

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “ahead”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/əˈhɛd/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “ahead”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “ahead” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.