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in the lead

3 syllables

Quick answer

As an adjective, in the lead means having the leading position or higher score in a contest. As an adverb, it means leading or ahead in a competition.

Meanings of in the lead

2 meanings

adjective

Having the leading position or higher score in a contest
“he is ahead by a pawn”
“the leading team in the pennant race”
Similar: ahead, leading

adverb

Leading or ahead in a competition
“the horse was three lengths ahead going into the home stretch”
“ahead by two pawns”
“our candidate is in the lead in the polls”
Similar: ahead, out front

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).

Synonyms by meaning

adjective: having the leading position or higher score in a contest

ahead leading

adverb: leading or ahead in a competition

aheadout front

Nearby words

in-law in line in person in the beginning in the end in the first place in the least in the main in time in use in writing inability