advantage

1 of 2

noun

ad·​van·​tage əd-ˈvan-tij 

1

: superiority of position or condition

Higher ground gave the enemy the advantage.

2

: a factor or circumstance of benefit to its possessor

lacked the advantages of an education

3

a

: benefit, gain

especially : benefit resulting from some course of action

a mistake which turned out to our advantage

see also take advantage of

b

obsolete : interest sense 3a

4

: the first point won in tennis after deuce

advantage

2 of 2

verb

advantaged; advantaging

transitive verb

: to give an advantage to : benefit

Government does not know how to strengthen all families, and no public policy avoids advantaging some families while implicitly asking others to wait in the queue.

—Martin Neil Baily

Phrases

to advantage

: so as to produce a favorable impression or effect

wishing to be seen to advantage

Synonyms

Noun

• better
• bulge
• catbird seat
• drop
• edge
• high ground
• inside track
• jump
• pull
• stead
• upper hand
• vantage
• whip hand

Verb

• avail
• benefit
• help
• profit
• serve

Examples of advantage in a Sentence

Noun

Higher ground gave the enemy the advantage.

He has an unfair advantage over us because of his wealth.

His plan has the advantage of being less expensive than other options.

He lacked the advantages of an advanced education.

Speed is an advantage in most sports.

The company's only advantage over the competition is its location.

Applicants for this job will find that previous experience is an advantage.

Being able to set your own schedule is one of the advantages of owning a business.

Among the advantages of a small college is its campus life.

There isn't any advantage in leaving early.

Verb

there's no question that that bicycle racer was significantly advantaged by a great set of genes

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Pone hit a sacrifice fly to put Ole Miss up 5-4, Mackenzie Pickens hit and RBI single in the fifth for a two-run advantage and Brady sent a solo home run to left-center field in the seventh to set the final score. —Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025

In this context, the real advantage lies not simply in exporting more whisky but in embedding British spirits—Scotch and otherwise—within a broader consumer and distribution ecosystem. —Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025

Verb

Poor tenants unable to pay their rent claimed they were evicted; not an uncommon practice at the time, or since, but one that advantages the powerful over the weak. —Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025

Homeowners who had yards, balconies or other private outdoor space were strongly advantaged during those early days. —Jamie Gold, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alteration (with initial a- taken as assimilated form of Latin ad- ad-) of Middle English avauntage, borrowed from Anglo-French avantage, from avant "before" (going back to Latin abante) + -age -age — more at advance entry 1

Verb

alteration (after advantage entry 1) of Middle English avauntagen, borrowed from Anglo-French avauntager, verbal derivative of avauntage, avantage advantage entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1549, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing advantage

• at an advantage
• mechanical advantage
• redound to the advantage of
• take advantage of
• to one's advantage

Rhymes for advantage

• disadvantage
• vantage

Kids Definition

advantage

noun

ad·​van·​tage

əd-ˈvant-ij

1

: the fact of being in a better position or condition

gain the advantage

2

: benefit entry 1 sense 1, gain

3

: something that helps the one it belongs to

speed is an advantage in sports