Skip to main content
lead

lead

474 4.8
Information that can help find something or create an opportunity
  • noun
  • /liːd/
translation icon : pista
  • The detective received a promising lead that could help solve the case.
  • pursue leads
  • provide a lead
  • leads from interviews

If you can't get leads, I don't care what you sell.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • If I want better leads, higher quality leads, more leads, right?

  • Surveys could be used to follow up on leads emerging from interviews.

    Academic text (1994)
  • So give us give us your best lead follow up war story.

  • I will follow more real estate leads and grow my business.

  • Hey, we got a lead on that missing vehicle.

  • - We got one good lead on our ad.

  • I am very happy chasing cold leads on our missing persons case.

  • My sales guys are inundated with new leads and good leads.

  • My job is to develop the leads, and that's my work.

  • Presumably the police were investigating every lead, but goodness knows where they would even start.

    Fiction book (1995)

Synonyms

clue
vslead
966 1.0

A piece of information that helps you solve a problem or mystery

also covers information that creates opportunities, not only solving evidence
track
vslead
381 5.0

A piece of evidence that helps solve a crime or problem

is broader, applying to opportunities and journalistic contexts as well
tip
vslead
279 3.8

A piece of information about a possible opportunity

also applies to investigative facts that help find things out, not only opportunities
hint
vslead
229 1.5

A small indirect suggestion that helps you understand something

refers to clearer, more useful information or opportunities not mere subtlety
steer
vslead
3 7.5

A short helpful piece of advice about what to do

focuses more on factual hints or opportunities rather than advice

Idioms

24 2.7

In a first position that gives an advantage in a competition

16 3.0

Ahead of other people in a race or competition

7 3.5

Holding the first position in a game or race

4 8.4

To delay saying the most important part of a story so readers miss it

3 7.7

Make someone do what you want without them noticing

to eat lead
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To be shot at with bullets

1 9.7

Act in a way that makes you open to attack or criticism

To marry someone in a formal wedding ceremony

You can reach the same result in many different ways

Compounds

lead story
  • Literature
33 3.0

The most important news story in a newspaper, on TV, or online

lead poisoning
  • Specialized
9 3.9

A condition that happens when too much lead gets into the body and makes you sick

lead-in
  • Literature
9 4.9

A short introduction before the main part of a talk or story

lead-in
  • Specialized
8 7.0

A wire that connects an antenna to a TV or radio

lead time
  • Specialized
7 4.5

The time between starting and finishing a process often used in business

1 1.3

A pencil that uses graphite for writing or drawing

1 3.5

Does not contain the metal lead

lead sheet
  • Specialized
1 6.0

A piece of music that shows the tune, words, and chords

lead-acid battery
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A rechargeable device with lead plates and weak sulphuric acid used in cars and for backup power

white lead
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A poisonous white pigment made from a heavy metal and used in older paints

lead bank
  • Jargon
1 6.9

A bank that coordinates a group of other banks to give a loan together

lead line
  • Archaic
1 8.1

A rope with a heavy lead weight that sailors lower to measure water depth from a boat

lead glass
  • Specialized
1 6.3

Glass made with small amounts of the metal lead that is very clear and sparkly

red lead
  • Specialized
1 9.1

A bright red powder used to make paint and to protect metal from rust

1 2.4

A thin dark core inside a pencil that makes marks on paper

sounding lead
  • Archaic
1 9.3

A heavy metal weight tied to a rope used to measure how deep water is

black lead
  • Archaic
8.6

A soft black material in pencil cores that is also used as a nuclear reactor moderator called graphite

8.1

A short wire with metal clips at both ends used to make temporary electric connections

antimonial lead
  • Specialized
8.1

A metal made from lead and a little of another metal used to make parts stronger and resist corrosion

lead arsenate
  • Archaic
9.9

A poisonous white chemical once used to kill insects on crops

lead acetate
  • Specialized
8.4

A poisonous white chemical used to dye cloth and make coatings for metal and wood

lead ore
  • Specialized
6.3

A rock that contains a heavy grey metal people take out to use

9.9

A shrub that grows on sandy river banks and is thought to show nearby lead

lead carbonate
  • Archaic
8.9

A white poisonous powder that contains lead and was used to make paint

lead chromate
  • Specialized
9.3

A bright yellow poisonous chemical used to make paint

lead colic
  • Archaic
9.9

Severe belly pain and constipation caused by long term lead poisoning

lead sandwich
  • Informal
8.4

A very heavy, very filling sandwich people joke about to mean a hard situation

A rechargeable battery with lead plates and acid used in cars and backup power

5.5

A dull grey-blue color like old metal

A person who starts and encourages dancing at parties

lead tetraethyl
  • Archaic
9.9

A clear oily poisonous liquid once added to gasoline to reduce engine knocking

7.9

A low bushy tropical tree with feathery leaves and long pods used for animal food and to help the soil

green lead ore
  • Specialized
9.9

A green rock that contains lead and gives small amounts of lead when processed

hard lead
  • Specialized
8.1

Heavy metal that people make harder by adding antimony or other metals for industrial use

4.7

Short wire with clips at each end that makes a temporary electrical connection between two points

red-lead putty
  • Archaic
9.3

A thick paste used to seal metal pipe joints

pig lead
  • Specialized
9.3

Blocks of lead made for storage or moving

sugar of lead
  • Archaic
9.9

A poisonous white chemical used long ago to dye fabrics and make glazes

tetraethyl lead
  • Archaic
9.4

A clear oily poison once added to petrol or gasoline to stop engine knocking

white lead ore
  • Specialized
9.9

A mineral that contains lead and is used to make white paint

How Helpful

breakthrough
242 3.9
lead
474 4.8
clue
966 1.0
hint
229 1.5

Surface Forms

lead singular
leads plural

Etymology

Lead A helpful way to remember this lead is to think of the verb lead 'to guide' — a news or police 'lead' is a piece of information that guides you toward the answer.