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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Lead: Definitions, Usage & Common Mistakes (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：guide (lead)

lead 🔊

/liːd/

v./n.

To show the way to someone by going in front of them, or to guide them in a direction.

guide 🔊

➕

/ɡaɪd/

v./n.

To act as a guide or to show the path to others.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'lǣdan', meaning to guide or bring, related to German 'leiten'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a leader who leads the team forward.

📖 Example

The kind park ranger offered to lead us through the forest trail to the waterfall. 🔊 The friendly park ranger proposed to guide us along the forest path to the waterfall.

🔗 Collocations

lead the way – to go first and show others the direction

lead by example – to guide others through one's own actions

lead a tour – to act as a guide for a group of visitors

🔄 Synonyms

guide (v.) – to show the way or direct someone

direct (v.) – to point or show the route

conduct (v.) – to lead or escort someone

🚫 Antonyms

follow (v.) – to go or come after someone

trail (v.) – to lag behind or be last

🌱 Derivatives

leader (n.) – a person who leads or guides

leadership (n.) – the position or function of a leader

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'lead' derives from Old English 'lǣdan', meaning to guide. It is cognate with German 'leiten'. In modern English, it is commonly used in leadership contexts, such as in business or team sports.

Meaning 2：be ahead (lead)

lead 🔊

/liːd/

v./n.

To be in first place or to have an advantage over others in a race or competition.

Image of a runner leading a race, depicting 'lead' as being in first place.

be ahead 🔊

➕

/bi əˈhɛd/

v./n.

To be in first position or have an advantage in a contest.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Our team managed to lead by ten points in the final minutes of the basketball game. 🔊 Our team succeeded in being ahead by ten points in the last moments of the basketball match.

🔗 Collocations

take the lead – to move into first place

maintain a lead – to keep an advantage over others

lead the pack – to be at the front of a group in a race

🔄 Synonyms

precede (v.) – to come before in position or time

outpace (v.) – to go faster than others

dominate (v.) – to have control or be superior

🚫 Antonyms

lag (v.) – to fall behind in progress

trail (v.) – to be behind in a competition

🌱 Derivatives

leading (adj.) – most important or foremost

lead-in (n.) – an introduction or preliminary part

Meaning 3：clue (lead)

lead 🔊

/liːd/

v./n.

A piece of information that helps you find an answer or discover something, like in a mystery.

clue 🔊

➕

/kluː/

v./n.

A piece of information that helps in solving a problem or mystery.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The only lead the detective had was a single fingerprint found near the window. 🔊 The sole clue the investigator possessed was a solitary fingerprint discovered close to the window.

🔗 Collocations

follow a lead – to pursue a piece of information in an investigation

hot lead – a promising clue that could solve a case quickly

lead to an arrest – information that results in catching a suspect

🔄 Synonyms

hint (n.) – a slight indication or suggestion

tip (n.) – a piece of confidential information

indication (n.) – a sign or piece of evidence

🚫 Antonyms

dead end (n.) – a point where no progress can be made

red herring (n.) – a misleading clue that distracts from the truth

🌱 Derivatives

leading question (n.) – a question that suggests a particular answer