advance

1 of 3

verb

ad·​vance əd-ˈvan(t)s 

advanced; advancing

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

was advanced from clerk to assistant manager

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

advancer noun

advance

2 of 3

noun

1

: a moving forward

halted the enemy's advances

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

The workers won wage advances.

4

: a first step or approach made (as to gain favor or form an acquaintance)

especially : the act of speaking to someone in an effort to start a sexual relationship

—usually plural

She rejected his advances.

The report alleges that the supervisor repeatedly made unwanted/improper sexual advances towards subordinates.

5

: a provision of something (such as money or goods) before a return is received

I need an advance on my salary.

also : the money or goods supplied

received a $100,000 advance on his new book

advance

3 of 3

adjective

1

: made, sent, or furnished ahead of time

advance sales

2

: going or situated before

an advance party of soldiers

Phrases

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

made preparations several days in advance of her arrival

Synonyms

Verb

• lend

Noun

• progress
• advancement
• process
• progression
• procession

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of advance in a Sentence

Verb

The car advanced slowly down the street.

The sun slowly advanced across the sky.

She opened the door and advanced cautiously into the room.

advance the hands of a clock

The film is advanced by an electric motor.

The team advanced the ball steadily down the field.

Our understanding of this disease has advanced rapidly in recent years.

The team did not advance beyond the first round of the play-offs.

The company tries to keep up with advancing technology.

As he advanced in age and stature he advanced in knowledge.

Noun

trying to halt the enemy's advance

trying to halt the enemy's advances

a big advance in technology

The new system represents a considerable advance over the old one.

There have been few advances made in the treatment of this disease.

There has been little advance made in the treatment of this disease.

The workers won wage advances.

a yearlong advance in stock prices

Adjective

an advance copy of a new book

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Exxon Mobil rose nearly 2%, while Marathon Petroleum and ConocoPhillips each advanced more than 1%. —Sean Conlon, CNBC, 23 June 2025

The panel advanced the measure in a largely party-line 36-27 vote earlier this month. —Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 23 June 2025

Noun

Leaders who want to use two-way conversations as a way to catalyze growth and change within their organizations should game-plan important, strategic questions in advance. Use technology as a conversation superpower. —Jonas Barck, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

Boylan was followed by a number of other women who publicly shared similar stories of a governor who made inappropriate remarks and unwanted advances. —Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 24 June 2025

Adjective

To buy in advance call 858-748-7907 or email [e-mail]. —Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2025

Additionally, the museum offers free admission to all visitors every Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. with advance registration. —Jasmine Desiree, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English advauncen, alteration (with initial a- taken as assimilated form of Latin ad- ad-) of avauncen, borrowed from Anglo-French avancer, going back to Vulgar Latin *abantiāre, verbal derivative of Latin abante "before, in front," from ab- ab- + ante "before" — more at ante-

Noun

derivative of advance entry 1 (or borrowed from French avance, going back to Middle French, noun derivative of avancer)

Adjective

derivative of advance entry 2

First Known Use

Verb

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

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

Adjective

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing advance

• advance directive
• advance man
• advance on
• in advance
• in advance of

Rhymes for advance

• askance
• enhance
• expanse
• finance
• freelance
• mischance
• perchance
• romance
• chance
• dance
• glance
• hance

Kids Definition

advance

1 of 3 verb

ad·​vance əd-ˈvan(t)s 

advanced; advancing

1

: to move forward

advance a few yards

2

: to help the progress of

sacrifices that advance the cause of freedom

3

: to raise to a higher rank or position : promote

was advanced from clerk to assistant manager

4

: to give and expect to be paid back

advance a loan

5

: suggest sense 1, propose

advance a new plan

advancer noun

advance

2 of 3 noun

1

: a forward movement

2

: progress in development : improvement

recent advances in medicine

3

: a rise in price, value, or amount

4

: a first step or approach

an unfriendly look discourages advances

5

a

: the giving of something in payment (as money) before goods or services are received

I need an advance on my salary

b

: the money or goods given

advance

3 of 3 adjective

1

: made, sent, or furnished ahead of time

an advance payment

2

: going or situated before

an advance guard

an advance scout

Legal Definition

advance

1 of 2 transitive verb

ad·​vance

advanced; advancing

: to supply or provide ahead of time: as

a

: to give (a gift) by way of or as an advancement

b

: to supply (as money) beforehand in expectation of repayment or other future adjustment

advance

2 of 2 noun

: a provision of something (as goods or money) before a return is received

also : the money or goods supplied