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

As the Chiefs tried one last gasp after the Broncos scored a late, go-ahead touchdown, Surtain lined up against Kelce in the slot on third down. —Sam McDowell 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Dec. 2025

Jamal Murray added 35 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 35 seconds remaining overtime. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 Dec. 2025

Noun

Josiah Deguara caught a go-ahead TD pass in the third quarter from Brissett, who started the Cardinals' final 12 games after a foot injury sidelined Kyler Murray. —CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026

Aaron Rodgers threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III with 55 seconds left, and the Steelers beat the Ravens 26-24 on Sunday night when Baltimore's Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal as time expired, giving Pittsburgh the AFC North title. —Arkansas Online, 5 Jan. 2026

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