lead
gb/lˈɛd/ us/lˈɛd/
A2
English
~ 1400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
to guide or direct
To show the way or be in charge of a group or activity.
Usage pattern:
to lead [someone/something] [somewhere]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'lead' with 'leave' because they sound similar in some accents.
Synonyms
direct (Emphasizes giving instructions rather than inspiring or guiding.)
|
guide (Often implies physically showing the way or offering advice rather than managing.)
Antonyms
follow (Implies being guided by someone else instead of guiding them.)
Collocations
lead a team
|lead a meeting
|lead the way
|lead a project
Themes
leadership
|business
|daily life
|work
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She will lead the team through the new project.
- The guide will lead us to the waterfall.
- He was chosen to lead the discussion at the conference.
Learner examples
- She will lead the group to the park.
- Our teacher will lead the class trip.
- He will lead the meeting today.
Noun
A2
state
2
position ahead or in control
The first position in a race or competition.
Synonyms
advantage (A broader term that can include non-competitive contexts.)
Antonyms
deficit (Specifically refers to being behind in points or position.)
Collocations
take the lead
|hold the lead
|lose the lead
Themes
sports
|competition
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She took the lead in the final lap.
- He has a two-point lead over his opponent.
- Our company has a strong lead in the market.
Learner examples
- She is in the lead now.
- He has a big lead in the game.
- Our team took the lead early.
Noun
B1
entity
3
a soft heavy metal
A heavy gray metal used in some products and batteries.
Synonyms
Pb (The chemical symbol for lead used in scientific contexts.)
Collocations
lead poisoning
|lead pipe
|lead battery
Themes
science
|materials
Examples
- Lead is toxic if swallowed.
- The old water pipes were made of lead.
- Lead is used in car batteries.
Learner examples
- Lead is a heavy metal.
- Old pipes can have lead.
- Lead is used in some batteries.
Noun
B1
entity
4
main role in performance
The most important part played by an actor in a show or movie.
Synonyms
star role (Informal; emphasizes fame as well as importance.)
Collocations
play the lead
|leading role
|female lead
Themes
entertainment
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- She played the lead in the new drama.
- The male lead gave an outstanding performance.
- He auditioned for the lead role.
Learner examples
- She plays the lead in the movie.
- He got the lead role in the play.
- The lead is very good in this show.
Noun
A2
entity
5
pencil writing core (graphite)
The dark part inside a pencil that writes on paper.
Synonyms
graphite core (More technically accurate term for pencil 'lead'.)
Collocations
pencil lead
|mechanical pencil lead
Themes
education
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I need to replace the lead in my mechanical pencil.
- The pencil's lead broke while I was writing.
- She sharpened her pencil to expose more lead.
Learner examples
- The pencil has soft lead.
- I need new lead for my pen.
- My pencil lead broke.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lead
IPA
GB/lˈɛd/
US/lˈɛd/
Syllables & stress
lead (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (lead)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: lead
- Plural: lead, leads
Verb
- Base: lead
- 3rd Person Singular: leads
- Present Participle: leading
- Past: led
- Past Participle: led
Word family
Forms
leads
noun
leading
verb
led
verb
Core family
leader
noun A2
leadership
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
misleadingly
adverb
Highlights
- Irregular past: led Verb
- Irregular past participle: led Verb
Expressions
lead someone on
1/lˈid sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
deceive about romantic interest
To make someone believe you like them when you do not really mean it.
Examples
- He felt she had led him on by flirting with no real interest.
- Don’t lead him on if you’re not serious.
lead the way
1/lˈid ðə wˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
go first to show direction
To go before others to show them where to go.
Examples
- Please lead the way to the meeting room.
- She led the way through the crowded street.
lead up to something
1/lˈid ˈʌp tə sˈʌmθɪŋ/
phrasal verb
happen before an event and prepare for it
To happen before and help cause an event.
Examples
- The weeks leading up to the wedding were very busy.
- Several mistakes led up to his resignation.
in the lead
1/ˈɪn ðə lˈɛd/
fixed phrase
ahead in competition or comparison
To be ahead of others in a race or contest.
Examples
- He is currently in the lead by two points.
- Our team is in the lead at halftime.
- They stayed in the lead until the end of the match.
- He stayed in the lead until the finish line.
take the lead
1/tˈeɪk ðə lˈɛd/
fixed phrase
move into first place or control
To become first or start being in control.
Examples
- Our team took the lead after halftime.
- She decided to take the lead during the project.
- She took the lead in organizing the project.
- If no one speaks up, I'll take the lead.