leader

leader — noun

1. a person who guides or directs a team, an organization, or a country, making imp

1.nounB1
Definition

a person who guides or directs a team, an organization, or a country, making important decisions that affect those under their responsibility.

Example

As the team **leader**, Christopher made sure everyone had a chance to share their ideas during meetings.

leader + of + group noun phrase

The government **leader** announced a new plan to improve public transportation across the city.

Common collocations
  • team leader
  • project leader
  • party leader
  • political leader
  • community leader
  • spiritual leader
  • military leader
  • business leader
  • natural leader
  • born leader
Synonyms
  • chief

    More formal, often used for the highest authority in an organization or tribe

  • head

    Refers to the top position in a hierarchy, often used in compound titles (head of department)

  • director

    Focuses on the managerial role of running a department or organization

  • commander

    Specifically for military or law enforcement contexts; implies authority over armed forces

Antonyms
  • follower

    Someone who accepts the guidance or direction of a leader

  • subordinate

    A person under the authority of another within an organization

Grammar Patterns

leader + of + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often followed by of + noun to specify what or who is being led (leader of the party, leader of the group). Can also be used as a compound noun modifier (team leader, project leader, community leader).

Common Mistakes

He is a good leader of the company.
He is a good leader at the company.' or 'He is the leader of the company.
Use 'of' for the entity led, not 'at'.
She leaded the team.
She led the team.
'Lead' is irregular: past tense is 'led', not 'leaded'.

2. a person, team, or company that is ahead of all others in a race, competition, o

2.nounB1
Definition

a person, team, or company that is ahead of all others in a race, competition, or market at a particular moment.

Example

After the first half of the race, Ryo's horse was the clear **leader**, three lengths ahead of the rest.

clear leader — intensifier pattern

The company is a global **leader** in smartphone technology, selling more devices than any competitor.

global leader + in + field

Common collocations
  • market leader
  • global leader
  • clear leader
  • early leader
  • joint leader
  • league leader
  • industry leader
  • runaway leader
Synonyms
  • front-runner

    Specifically for competitive races or elections; implies the person or team most likely to win

  • pacesetter

    Someone or something that sets the standard for others to follow in a competition

  • top

    Informal, used in phrases like 'top of the league' or 'top seller'

Antonyms
  • loser

    A person or team that does not win a race or competition

  • underdog

    The competitor thought least likely to win; implies sympathy

Grammar Patterns

leader + in + noun phrase

leader + of + noun phrase

Usage Note

Commonly paired with 'in' to specify the field of competition (leader in sales, leader in technology). 'Market leader' is a fixed business term for the company with the largest market share.

3. a piece of writing in a newspaper or magazine that presents the editor's or publ

3.nounC1
Definition

a piece of writing in a newspaper or magazine that presents the editor's or publisher's standpoint on a current event or social issue, usually appearing on a dedicated page.

Example

The newspaper's **leader** argued that the new education law would not solve the real problems in schools.

possessive + leader for editorial context

In today's **leader**, the editor criticises the government's handling of the housing crisis.

Common collocations
  • newspaper leader
  • leader article
  • leader writer
  • leader column
  • leader page
Synonyms
  • editorial

    The standard American English term for an opinion article by the editorial board; more widely understood globally

  • opinion piece

    A broader term that includes both editorials and columns by individual writers

  • leading article

    A slightly dated full form of 'leader'; rare in modern use

Grammar Patterns

noun phrase: the + leader + on + noun phrase

Usage Note

Chiefly British usage. In American English, 'editorial' is far more common. 'Leader' in this sense is typically used in reference to broadsheet newspapers (The Times, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph).

Common Mistakes

I read an interesting leader about sports in yesterday's paper.
I read an interesting editorial about sports in yesterday's paper.
In American English, 'editorial' is preferred; 'leader' for this meaning is primarily British.

4. the principal first violinist of a symphony orchestra, who tunes the orchestra,

4.nounC1
Definition

the principal first violinist of a symphony orchestra, who tunes the orchestra, plays solo passages, and acts as a liaison between the conductor and the musicians.

Example

The orchestra's **leader** played the solo section beautifully, earning warm applause from the audience.

possessive + leader for orchestral role

Before the concert began, the **leader** tuned the orchestra and nodded to the conductor that they were ready.

Common collocations
  • orchestra leader
  • appointed leader
  • deputy leader
  • section leader
Synonyms
  • concertmaster

    The standard American English term for the same role; used in the US, Canada, and parts of Europe

  • first violinist

    Describes the position in terms of the instrument played; less specific about leadership duties

  • principal violin

    Another term for the lead violin player in a section

Grammar Patterns

the + leader + of + noun phrase

Usage Note

Chiefly British usage. In American English, the equivalent role is called 'concertmaster.' This sense refers specifically to the first-chair violinist, not to the conductor — a common point of confusion for learners.

Common Mistakes

The leader of the orchestra stood on the podium and waved the baton.
The conductor of the orchestra stood on the podium and waved the baton.
The 'leader' is a violinist playing in the orchestra, not the person conducting it.

5. a product sold at a very low price, often below the normal profit margin, to att

5.nounB2
Definition

a product sold at a very low price, often below the normal profit margin, to attract customers into a store in the hope they will buy additional items at full price.

Example

The supermarket sold milk at a very low price as a **leader** to bring more customers into the store.

as a leader — prepositional phrase pattern

Electronics shops often sell printers as a **leader** because they know customers will return for expensive ink cartridges.

Common collocations
  • loss leader
  • as a leader
  • leader pricing
  • leader product
  • leader item
Synonyms
  • loss leader

    The full, more common form of this term in business English

  • doorbuster

    An informal US term for a deeply discounted item designed to bring crowds into a store

  • promotional item

    A broader term for any product sold at a discount for marketing purposes

Grammar Patterns

as a + leader

leader + noun modifier

Usage Note

Almost always used in the full compound form 'loss leader.' This is a retail and marketing term; the 'leader' item itself is sold at a loss or very slim margin, with the real profit coming from companion purchases.

Common Mistakes

The store sells everything as a leader.
The store offers a few loss leaders each week to attract foot traffic.
Not every cheap item is a 'leader'; the term specifically means a product priced to draw customers, often at a loss.

Word family

  • lead
    verbA2
  • lead
    nounB1
  • leadership
    nounB2
  • leading
    adjectiveB2
  • leaderless
    adjectiveC1
  • mislead
    verbB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe someone in a position of authority, but they differ in scope and formality. 'Leader' is the broadest term, covering anyone who guides or influences others — from a school club president to a head of state (e.g., 'She is a natural leader who inspires her teammates'). 'Chief' is more formal and often suggests the highest authority in a hierarchy, frequently used in titles (chief executive officer, chief of police). 'Head' focuses on being at the top of a specific unit or department (head of marketing, head of the household). 'Director' implies a managerial role within an organization, with responsibilities for strategy and oversight (board of directors, creative director). 'Commander' is restricted to military, police, or expedition contexts, where the role involves giving orders to subordinates (military commander, mission commander). A simple test: if you can replace the word with 'boss' in an informal setting, 'leader' or 'head' usually works; if you need to emphasise rank or military order, choose 'commander'; for corporate hierarchy, use 'director' or 'chief'.

chief ↗headdirector ↗commander ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • take the lead
  • follow the leader
  • under the leadership of
  • emerge as a leader
  • appoint a leader
  • step down as leader

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'leader' comes from Old English 'lǣdere', meaning 'one who leads'. It is formed from the verb 'lǣdan' (to guide, to carry, to bring forward) plus the agent suffix '-ere' (someone who does something). The verb 'lǣdan' can be traced back to Proto-Germanic *laidijaną, meaning 'to make go, to guide', which is also the source of German 'leiten' (to lead, to guide) and Dutch 'leiden'. The modern spelling 'leader' became standard in Middle English around the 14th century. Over time, the word expanded from the literal sense of 'someone who shows the way physically' to include figurative meanings such as 'a person who commands a group' (15th century), 'the winning competitor' (19th century), and specialised uses in journalism and music (19th-20th centuries).