go-ahead

1 of 2

adjective

ˈgō-ə-ˌhed 

1

: marked by energy and enterprise : progressive

a vigorous go-ahead company

2

: indicating that one may proceed

go-ahead signal

3

: being a score that gives a team the lead in a game

drove in the go-ahead run

go-ahead

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: energy, spirit

b

: one possessing go-ahead

2

: a sign, signal, or authority to proceed : green light

Synonyms of go-ahead

Noun

• powerhouse

Examples of go-ahead in a Sentence

Noun

a born go-ahead, he was determined to be the first in his family to graduate from college

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Defensive back Christian Benford scooped it and raced 17 yards for a go-ahead touchdown. —Mike Defabo, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025

Lemon was no factor in the Trojans' offense until Maiava finally found him down the USC sideline for a go-ahead score with 25 seconds left in the third quarter. —CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025

Noun

Receiver Luc Jacquemard caught the 31-yard, go-ahead flea flicker TD. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Dec. 2025

How to Watch Illinois vs Tennessee Vanderbilt transfer Jaylen Carey missed a potential go-ahead jumper as Tennessee lost 62-60 in an ACC/SEC Challenge matchup at Syracuse on Tuesday night. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for go-ahead

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead