Main Entry: ¹ad·vance

Pronunciation: \əd-ˈvan(t)s\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): ad·vanced; ad·vanc·ing

Etymology: Middle English advauncen, from Anglo-French avancer, from Vulgar Latin *abantiare, from Late Latin abante in front, from Latin ab- + ante before — more at ante-

Date: 15th century

transitive verb 1 : to accelerate the growth or progress of <advance a cause>
2 : to bring or move forward <advance a pawn>
3 : to raise to a higher rank
4 archaic : to lift up : raise
5 : to bring forward in time; especially : to make earlier <advance the date of the meeting>
6 : to bring forward for notice, consideration, or acceptance : propose <advance an idea>
7 : to supply or furnish in expectation of repayment <advance a loan>
8 : to raise in rate : increase <advance the rent>intransitive verb 1 : to move forward : proceed <an advancing army>
2 : to make progress : increase <advance in age>
3 : to rise in rank, position, or importance <advance through the ranks>
4 : to rise in rate or price <advancing wages>

— ad·vanc·er noun

synonyms advance, promote, forward, further mean to help (someone or something) to move ahead. advance stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing about a desired end <advance the cause of peace>. promote suggests an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status or rank <a campaign to promote better health>. forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead <a wage increase would forward productivity>. further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance <used the marriage to further his career>.