advance

¹ad·vance

verb \əd-ˈvan(t)s\

ad·vancedad·vanc·ing

Definition of ADVANCE

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

Examples of ADVANCE

1. The car advanced slowly down the street.
2. The sun slowly advanced across the sky.
3. She opened the door and advanced cautiously into the room.
4. advance the hands of a clock
5. The film is advanced by an electric motor.
6. The team advanced the ball steadily down the field.
7. Our understanding of this disease has advanced rapidly in recent years.
8. The team did not advance beyond the first round of the play-offs.
9. The company tries to keep up with advancing technology.
10. As he advanced in age and stature he advanced in knowledge.

Origin of ADVANCE

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-

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to ADVANCE

Synonyms: lend, loan

Antonyms: borrow

Related Words: furnish, give, grant; lease, let [chiefly British], rent

Near Antonyms: receive, take

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of ADVANCE

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>.