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Definition and meaning of English word "lead"

lead

/lɛd/

Meaning

Verb

To guide or direct the movement of (a person, group, or organization), especially by going in front or showing the way.

Reviewed by the TheLernen language teamDefinition sourced from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)

How to use

The verb 'lead' is commonly used in business, sports, and everyday contexts to describe guiding or being in charge of a person, team, or organization. A common grammatical nuance is that 'lead' is irregular: the past tense and past participle are both 'led' (not 'leaded'). For example, 'She led the team to victory.' Learners should be careful not to confuse the verb 'lead' (/li:d/, to guide) with the noun 'lead' (/lɛd/, the metal).

🇬🇧 English

lead

Example

The company is leading the market with its innovative products.

The teacher is leading the class in a discussion.

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Synonyms

guidedirecthead

Common phrases

  • lead the way— lead the way
  • lead by example— lead by example
  • take the lead— take the lead

More Core Verbs words

Frequency rank: #933 in English

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the English word "lead" mean?▼

The English word "lead" means "lead" in English.

How do you pronounce the English word "lead"?▼

You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "lead" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.

Can I see an example sentence with "lead"?▼

Yes, here is a practical example: "The company is leading the market with its innovative products." (which translates as "lead").

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