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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

ahead

/əˈhɛd/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:47
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Keep the opening vowel light and the h audible.

The first vowel is schwa here. The second syllable begins with a spoken h and contains the strongest vowel, the sound in bed.

2 syllables · Stress on syllable 2

TRY SAYING
The road ahead is clear.

APG practice sentence · CC BY-SA 4.0

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

What does ahead mean?

adverb

  1. At or towards the front; in the direction one is facing or moving.
  2. So as to be further advanced, either spatially or in an abstract sense; to be superior.
  3. In or for the future.
More meanings (3)

adverb

  1. To a later time.
  2. At an earlier time; beforehand; in advance.
  3. To an earlier time.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/əˈhɛd/

Pronunciation used in the listening tip.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

He stood still and allowed her to get far ahead of him till he could only see her form upon the sky.
Thomas HardyFar from the Madding CrowdProject Gutenberg ebook #27
They were rapidly overhauling us when Tars Tarkas cried to me to hasten ahead and discover, if possible, the sanctuary we sought.
Edgar Rice BurroughsThe gods of MarsProject Gutenberg ebook #64
More book examples (3)
The carriage lamps cast rays of light a little distance ahead of them and she caught glimpses of the things they passed.
Frances Hodgson BurnettThe Secret GardenProject Gutenberg ebook #113
We burst out again among rocks, and saw the quarry ahead running lightly on all-fours and snarling at us over his shoulder.
H. G. (Herbert George) WellsThe island of Doctor MoreauProject Gutenberg ebook #159
The other fugitive, who was ahead of him, turned round and ran back to the man who was lying on the ground.
Leo, graf TolstoyThe forged coupon, and other storiesProject Gutenberg ebook #243