advertise

verb

ad·​ver·​tise ˈad-vər-ˌtīz 

advertised; advertising; advertises

1

transitive + intransitive : to make the public aware of (something or someone) especially by means of a published or broadcast notice

a web page advertising upcoming events

: such as

a

: to present (something or oneself) to the public in a way that is intended to attract customers : promote

… a social media marketplace where … members can advertise goods and services.

—Cathalena E. Burch

… Black Friday, a red-letter day when retailers advertise massive sales.

—Duncan Fine

Dealers are advertising prices about 3% to 5% below sticker price …

—Russ Mitchell

Construction on these houses is under way and some are already being advertised for sale.

—Ellie Brown

… some … brokers advertise themselves as offering no-commission trading.

—Charles Bovaird

All these systems work as advertised.

—Emme Hall

Of course, if you really want to host a successful yard sale, you'll need to advertise.

—Maurie Backman

b

transitive + intransitive : to announce (something wanted or offered) publicly

The position was advertised on various job sites.

The company is currently advertising for an accountant.

2

transitive

a

: to make (something) publicly and generally known

We tried not to advertise our presence.

I didn't want to advertise the fact that I could shell out for a luxury item …

—Kira Vermond

b

archaic : to make something known to (another person or persons) : notify sense 1

I have advertised him by secret means …

—William Shakespeare

… it seemed to Nathan as if the entire neighborhood were being advertised of the fact …

—Mary S. Watts

advertiser noun

plural advertisers

print advertisers

Station managers say many regular advertisers aren't able to buy ads now.

—Associated Press

Synonyms

• announce
• annunciate
• blare
• blaze
• blazon
• broadcast
• declare
• enunciate
• flash
• give out
• herald
• placard
• post
• proclaim
• promulgate
• publicize
• publish
• release
• sound
• trumpet

Examples of advertise in a Sentence

They are advertising the new edition of the book.

The vacation was advertised as a week in paradise.

It turned out to be exactly as advertised.

Business increased after we began to advertise on the radio.

If you want to attract customers, it pays to advertise.

The company is advertising for a secretary.

We advertised the job in the paper.

He stomped loudly to advertise his presence.

Recent Examples on the Web

No Doubt, which had been advertised as part of Coachella’s bill — but without saying on which day the band would appear — will perform Saturday at 9:25 p.m. on the festival’s main stage. —Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024

Speed dating has surged in popularity over the past three years, according to Eventbrite, an event management and ticketing website where many speed-dating events are advertised. —USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024

The company advertises that patients could lose 5% of their body weight in just three months, 10% in six months and 15% in a year. —Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024

Worse yet, some on social media are sharing instructions on how to squat on private property, falsely advertising that the law permits the seizure of temporarily unoccupied property. —Jill Jacobson, National Review, 2 Apr. 2024

Wiig’s Target Lady will continue to promote the company in commercials advertising Target’s services after the conclusion of Target Circle Week. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 Apr. 2024

In the mid-1950s, 3M advertised its Scotch audio reel-to-reel tape. —IEEE Spectrum, 2 Apr. 2024

Along with not selling memberships, the department ordered the company to stop advertising and collecting money associated with its plans. —Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 1 Apr. 2024

While many ice plunges advertise themselves as backyard-friendly, this is the only one professionally rated for outdoor use, featuring a robust military-grade exterior fortified with durable coatings to endure even the harshest environments. —Variety Staff, Variety, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English advertisen, avertysen "to pay attention to, take note of, notify, inform," borrowed from Anglo-French avertiss-, advertiss-, stem of avertir, advertir "to notify, (reflexive) recognize, be mindful of" — more at advert entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Kids Definition

advertise

verb

ad·​ver·​tise ˈad-vər-ˌtīz 

advertised; advertising

1

: to announce publicly especially by a printed notice or a broadcast

advertise a sale

2

: to call public attention to especially by pointing out desirable qualities so as to create a desire to buy or to do business with

advertise a cereal

advertise a store

3

: to give a public notice or advertisement

advertise for a lost dog

advertiser noun