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Glite Dictionary
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leadoff

leadoff

4 4.1
Coming first in a series or event
  • adjective
  • /ˈliːdˌɔf/
  • US
translation icon : inicial
  • As the leadoff speaker at the conference, she outlined the main topics that would be discussed.
  • leadoff spot
  • leadoff hitter
  • leadoff walk

Examples

  • And Damon will coast into second base with a leadoff double.

    Moneyball (2011)

  • Pitchers never want to walk the leadoff man.

    Blog text (12)

  • You had to go in the leadoff spot, which never helps in terms of getting votes.

    Blog text (15)

  • Set a club record by hitting five leadoff home runs.

    Blog text (31)

  • It's also notable that all his home runs have been hit in the leadoff spot.

    Blog text (24)

  • Jeter's home run was the 27th leadoff home run of his career and his third of the season.

    Blog text (12)

  • Corpas issued a leadoff walk to Rickie Weeks.

    Blog text (24)

  • He's really enjoyed hitting from the leadoff spot, with a .471 average in four games.

    Blog text (6)

  • Derek Jeter extended his hitting streak with a leadoff single in the first.

    Blog text (19)

  • Cabrera hit .301 with a .342 on-base percentage in leadoff situations.

    Blog text (10)

Synonyms

premier
vsleadoff
5 5.2

First in time, happening before other things

describes coming first as an initial participant rather than general earliest
premiere
vsleadoff
1 6.4

Happening first in time or order

focuses on being the initial participant or item in an event
leading
vsleadoff
3.4

Ahead of others in a game or race

refers to coming first in sequence as an initial item not continuous leadership

How Early

leadoff
  • US
4 4.1
early
∞ 1.0
later
1.0
final
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

leadoff positive

Morphology

leadoff = lead + off (transparent) = lead + off

Clear compound of the verb 'lead' + particle 'off' meaning 'to begin' or 'first', which learners can infer from the parts.

Etymology

Leadoff comes from two simple words: lead meaning 'go first' and off meaning 'start' or 'away', a bit like the word 'kickoff'. So a leadoff item is the one that comes first and often sets the tone.