What does “lead” mean?
- 1
verbto show the way by going in front
The guide led us through the forest.
- 2
verbto be in charge of a group or activity
She leads a team of ten engineers.
- 3
verbto cause something to happen
Too much stress can lead to illness.
Lead at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb
- CEFR level
- A2 (elementary)
- Pronunciation
- /lid/ · LEED
- Forms
- led, leading
How to use “lead” correctly
The past tense is “led”, not “leaded”. The metal “lead” is pronounced differently: /lɛd/ (LED).
Common phrases with “lead”
- lead to sth
- take the lead
- lead the way
- lead a life
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- guide
- direct
- result in
Antonyms (opposite meaning)
Word family
- leader
- leadership
- leading
Idioms with “lead”
- You can lead a horse to water: You can give someone a chance or advice, but you can't force them to use it.
“lead” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- act verbA2to do something, especially to deal with a situation
- allow verbA2to give someone permission to do something
- become verbA2to begin to be something
- carry verbA2to hold something and take it with you from one place to another
- catch verbA2to take hold of something that is moving through the air
- continue verbA2to keep doing something or keep happening without stopping
- cover verbA2to put something over something else to protect or hide it
- create verbA2to make something new exist