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lead1

lead1

 
 
pronunciation:
lid
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun, adjective
phrases:
lead on, lead up to
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: leads, leading, led
definition 1: to conduct or give direction to; guide.
Having finished her ride, she led the horse back to the barn.He led the police to the place where he'd found the gun.Who is leading this tour?
synonyms:
conduct, guide, pilot, usher
similar words:
blaze, captain, clue, convoy, direct, escort, head, marshal, shepherd, show, steer
definition 2: to command or direct.
He led the nation during a difficult time.
synonyms:
command, direct, head
similar words:
boss, captain, conduct, control, dominate, govern, guide, manage, moderate, order, predominate, rule
definition 3: to have the opening or controlling part in.
Who will lead the meeting?
synonyms:
direct, head, moderate, oversee
similar words:
boss, conduct, control, dominate, govern, manage, rule, run
definition 4: to experience.
She leads an active life.
synonyms:
live
similar words:
experience, have, pursue, undergo
definition 5: to be ahead of.
The home team is leading the opposing team by a score of seven to three.
synonyms:
head
antonyms:
trail
similar words:
begin, blaze, exceed, excel, outdo, outstrip, surpass
definition 6: to influence, cause, or persuade.
New information led the general to change tactics.What led you to make this decision?You led me to believe that the plan had been approved, and now you're saying it hasn't?!
synonyms:
cause, convince, induce, persuade, prompt
similar words:
dispose, guide, incline, move, predispose
definition 7: to take (one) on a course for.
This road will lead you to town.
synonyms:
guide, steer
similar words:
blaze, conduct, direct, pilot, take
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition 1: to direct or give guidance to others.
She leads naturally and with confidence.
synonyms:
conduct
antonyms:
follow
similar words:
direct, dominate, domineer, govern, manage, moderate, officiate, order, predominate, preside, rule
definition 2: to be first among others.
The company is now leading in sales.
synonyms:
dominate, predominate, preponderate, prevail
antonyms:
follow
similar words:
conduct, rank, reign, rule
definition 3: to go in the direction of a place.
That path leads to the beach.
similar words:
go
definition 4: to tend toward a particular result (usu. fol. by "to").
Greater effort should lead to success.
synonyms:
produce, tend to
similar words:
yield
definition 5: to initiate an action or activity (sometimes fol. by "off").
She led off with a song.
synonyms:
begin, commence, start
similar words:
launch
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
phrase: lead on
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: the first or front position.
Our horse is in the lead.
synonyms:
forefront, head, top
antonyms:
last
similar words:
front, initiative, precedence, priority
definition 2: the degree of advance over others.
He held a one-mile lead in the race.
synonyms:
advantage, edge
similar words:
ascendancy, favor, front, upper hand, whip hand
definition 3: the principal role in a dramatic production.
She was thrilled to the get the lead in the new play.
similar words:
diva, drawing card, headliner, hero, heroine, prima donna, principal, star, title role
definition 4: an indication, hint, or clue.
The police have no leads in the case.
synonyms:
clue, evidence, hint, indication, inkling, trace
similar words:
key, pointer, signpost, suggestion
definition 5: an example or model for behavior or action.
We will follow your lead.
synonyms:
example, model, paradigm, pattern, standard
similar words:
archetype, bench mark, criterion, design, gauge, ideal, initiative, norm, precedent, prototype
definition 6: an insulated electrical wire.
similar words:
wire
definition 7: a brief summary that begins a news story.
similar words:
capsule, headline, summary
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: adjective
definition: first or most significant.
the lead story in today's paper
synonyms:
cardinal, chief, main, premier, primary, prime, principal
similar words:
front-page, paramount, supreme, uppermost
phrase: lead up to
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