The term 'ahead of' can be expressed in a variety of ways. The five crossword solutions are 'EARLY' (5 letters), 'EARLIER' (7 letters), 'ERE' (3 letters), 'BEFORE' (6 letters), and 'prior to' (7 letters). 'EARLY' is an adjective that means happening or existing at an EARLIER time than expected or usual. 'EARLIER' is an adverb that means BEFORE the present time or BEFORE the time mentioned. 'ERE' is an archaic adverb that means BEFORE. 'BEFORE' is a preposition that means in front of or ahead of in time, place, or order. Lastly, 'prior to' is a phrase that means BEFORE in time or order.