advance

²advance

noun

Definition of ADVANCE

1

: a moving forward

2

a : progress in development <mistaking material advance for spiritual enrichment — H. J. Laski> b : a progressive step : improvement <an advance in medical technique>

3

: a rise in price, value, or amount

4

: a first step or approach made <her attitude discouraged all advances>

5

: a provision of something (as money or goods) before a return is received; also : the money or goods supplied

— in advance

1

: to, toward, or in a place or position ahead <sent scouts out in advance>

2

: before a deadline or an anticipated event <made reservations in advance>

— in advance of

: ahead of

Examples of ADVANCE

1. trying to halt the enemy's advance
2. trying to halt the enemy's advances
3. a big advance in technology
4. The new system represents a considerable advance over the old one.
5. There have been few advances made in the treatment of this disease.
6. There has been little advance made in the treatment of this disease.
7. The workers won wage advances.
8. a yearlong advance in stock prices

First Known Use of ADVANCE

1668

Related to ADVANCE

Synonyms: advancement, furtherance, going, headway, march, onrush, passage, process, procession, progress, progression

Antonyms: recess, recession, regress, regression, retreat, retrogression

Related Words: current, drift, flow, flux, stream, way; advent, approach, arrival, coming, nearing; bound, jump, leap, step, stride; impetus, momentum

Near Antonyms: backwash, ebb, reflux; retraction, return, reversal, reverse; about-face, turnabout, turnaround

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Rhymes with ADVANCE

barn dance, by chance, clog dance, closed stance, finance, freelance, lap dance, line dance, main chance, New France, romance, round dance, snake dance, square dance, step dance, sun dance, sword dance, tap dance, tea dance, toe dance, war dance