advance

verb

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ad·vance | \ əd-ˈvan(t)s

advanced; advancing

Definition of advance

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

advance

noun

Definition of advance (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a moving forward halted the enemy's advances

2a : 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

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

advance

adjective

Definition of advance (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : made, sent, or furnished ahead of time advance sales

2 : going or situated before an advance party of soldiers

Other Words from advance Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about advance

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Synonyms & Antonyms for advance

Synonyms: Verb

lend,
loan

Synonyms: Noun

Antonyms: Verb

borrow

Antonyms: Noun

Choose the Right Synonym for advance

Verb

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 Aari McDonald scored 26 points and led a smothering defensive effort for Arizona as the Wildcats beat UConn 69-59 Friday night to advance to the women’s NCAA Tournament championship game for the first time in school history. — BostonGlobe.com, "Arizona reaches NCAA title game with 69-59 win over UConn," 3 Apr. 2021 Aari McDonald scored 26 points and led a smothering defensive effort for Arizona as the Wildcats beat UConn 69-59 on Friday night to advance to the women’s NCAA Tournament championship game for the first time in school history. — Jim Vertuno, chicagotribune.com, "Arizona upsets UConn 69-59 to reach its 1st women’s NCAA championship game," 3 Apr. 2021 Aari McDonald scored 26 points and led a smothering defensive effort for Arizona as the Wildcats beat UConn 69-59 Friday night to advance to the women's NCAA Tournament championship game for the first time in school history. — Jim Vertuno, Star Tribune, "Arizona reaches NCAA title game with 69-59 win over UConn," 2 Apr. 2021 After cruising through the first three rounds of the tournament, winning every game by at least 20 points, Connecticut hung on to beat No. 2 seed Baylor 69-67 to advance to the Final Four. — oregonlive, "Three in the Final Four: Former Oregon high school stars Cameron Brink, Evina Westbrook and Bendu Yeaney vie for national title," 1 Apr. 2021 On Monday night, the Cougars beat Oregon State 67-61 to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 1984. — Joseph Duarte, San Antonio Express-News, "With father vs. son, Brookses have semi fully covered," 1 Apr. 2021 Due to the smaller tour sizes, advance online ticket reservations are highly recommended for both sites to avoid disappointment. — courant.com, "Community news for the Glastonbury edition," 19 Mar. 2021 Campbell edged Simon Kenton 3-2 in the semis to advance, winning the fifth game 191-156. — James Weber, The Enquirer, "Kentucky high school bowling: Pendleton County, Campbell County win Region 5 boys titles," 18 Mar. 2021 What role could the federal government play to advance or incentivize states to move faster on social equity and social justice reforms? — Lewis Koski, Forbes, "Federal Cannabis Legalization Has Appeal, But State Regulations Have Results," 10 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The new law also specifically states that counties have the option to extend advance voting hours to match Election Day hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Quinn Scanlan, ABC News, "Breaking down claims about Georgia's election law: What's true and what's not?," 7 Apr. 2021 Woldesenbet, a Navy medic assigned to Fort Detrick but who lived in town, then drove to the base, where gate guards who had been given advance notice told him to pull over for a search, said Brig. — Matthew Barakat, Anchorage Daily News, "Navy medic shoots 2 sailors before he is shot and killed on Maryland base," 6 Apr. 2021 City Clerk Gina Kozlik said roughly 5,200 ballots were mailed, plus there were an additional 426 in-person advance voters. — Jim Riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Two incumbents ousted in a Waukesha School Board race partly defined by unrest over virtual learning," 6 Apr. 2021 The action provided a onetime advance payment on future royalties for labels and distributors that earn over $10,000 in quarterly revenue from Apple Music and have a direct-distribution deal with the streaming service. — Billboard Staff, Billboard, "Revealed: Billboard's 2021 Top Music Lawyers," 5 Apr. 2021 Such drop boxes shall be closed when advance voting is not being conducted at that location. — New York Times, "What Georgia’s Voting Law Really Does," 2 Apr. 2021 Flights with few advance purchases will get canceled, shifting a few customers to other flights. — Scott Mccartney, WSJ, "Airlines Are Up in the Air on Summer Travel Schedules," 31 Mar. 2021 Their responsibilities include: advance scouting, analyzing analytics, dissecting game film, developing strategies, and working closely with players. — Larry Berger, USA TODAY, "Women playing vital roles as NBA assistant coaches, and changing the course of basketball," 31 Mar. 2021 Admission for members and the general public will be by advance registration through the aquarium’s website. — Los Angeles Times, "Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row to reopen after 13 months," 30 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Without much domestic manufacturing capacity to speak of, Canada had to sign advance-purchase deals with international vaccine companies. — Tracey Lindeman, The Atlantic, "What Went Wrong With Canada’s Vaccine Rollout?," 6 Apr. 2021 This special treat is included with advance purchase of general admission tickets and happens every Saturday through Dec. 19. — Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, "Top 5 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Dec. 4-6," 5 Apr. 2021 Some schools serve as community centers, others have restoration projects underway with the support of grants from National Trust for Historic Preservation while others are without champions and in advance stages of disrepair. — Michael J. Solender, Smithsonian Magazine, "Photographer Andrew Feiler documented how the educational institutions shaped a generation of black leaders," 30 Mar. 2021 Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. — NBC News, "Covid travel tracker: Which countries are allowing visitors from the U.S.?," 29 Mar. 2021 For the Maryland men’s lacrosse team’s remaining home games April 3 and 18, reserved tickets will be placed on sale, with advance priority going to Terrapin Club members, who can purchase on March 29 and 30. — Daniel Oyefusi, baltimoresun.com, "University of Maryland athletics to allow limited fan attendance for spring sports," 29 Mar. 2021 Laura Hancock reports this funding is an advance payment for costs to establish the community vaccination site on the Cleveland State campus. — Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, "Home sales show some stabilization – but that doesn’t mean demand has dropped: The Wake Up for Wednesday, March 24, 2021," 24 Mar. 2021 Sumter will also receive an advance pension payment of $384,000 and resign from OFD April 1, retiring as assistant chief after serving with the agency for 25 years, Holsten said. — Katie Rice, orlandosentinel.com, "City of Orlando to pay nearly $1 million to female assistant fire chief who sued for sexual harassment, discrimination," 23 Mar. 2021 These payments are technically an advance payment of a 2021 tax credit. — Washington Post, "You may be able to use your prepaid debit card to pay your rent.," 23 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'advance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for advance

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-