advert

ad·vert | \ ad-ˈvərt

\

adverted; adverting; adverts

Definition of advert

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to turn the mind or attention —used with toadverted to the speaker

2 : to call attention in the course of speaking or writing : make reference —used with toadverted to foreign-language sources

advert

ad·vert | \ ˈad-ˌvərt

\

Definition of advert (Entry 2 of 2)

chiefly British

: advertisement

Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about advert

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Did You Know?

Verb

You may be familiar with the noun "advert," which is used, especially in British sources, as a shortened form of "advertising." That's one way to use "advert," but it has also been used as a verb in English since the 15th century. There's a hint about the origin of the verb in the idea of "turning" the mind or attention to something; the word derives via Anglo-French from the Latin verb advertere, which in turn comes from Latin vertere, meaning "to turn." "Vertere" is the ancestor of a number of words in English, including "controversy," "divert," "invert," "revert," and even "versatile." In addition, we'd like to turn your attention to one particular ''vertere" descendant: avert, meaning "to avoid." Be careful to avoid mixing this one up with "advert."

Examples of advert in a Sentence

Noun I saw your advert in the newspaper. busily perusing the job adverts in the Sunday Times

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Juul recently suspended all US broadcast, print and digital adverting in the U.S. and is working in other ways to combat underage use. — Christopher Magan, Twin Cities, "Minnesota sues Juul for targeting kids as reports of vaping-related injuries swell," 4 Dec. 2019 Longtime Milwaukee adverting executive Bill Eisner is pivoting his business focus to be purpose- rather than profit-driven. — Sarah Hauer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee advertiser Bill Eisner focusing on purpose rather than profits after cancer diagnosis," 6 Aug. 2019 The company’s listed adverting policies don’t currently list the age restriction — that will change when the policy will take effect on June 21st. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "Facebook will stop showing minors ads for gun accessories," 17 June 2018 Digital-only advertising, however, was up nearly 10 percent in 2017, largely offsetting the impact of the softening print adverting declines on total digital advertising. — Mark Glover, sacbee, "McClatchy boosts digital audience, advertising revenue in 2017 | The Sacramento Bee," 16 Feb. 2018 Donations also go toward adverting campaigns like radio ads to help get the word out about their mission needs. — Birmingham Magazine, AL.com, "Jimmie Hale Mission nears 75th year serving Birmingham," 19 Dec. 2017 Yet to advert to rules of tonal consistency is to impose an external, puristic point of view on material that is wonderfully motley and personal. — Jesse Green, New York Times, "Review: ‘Bubbly Black Girl’ Lets a Smile Be Her Camouflage," 27 July 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun On Tuesday night, and after a long teaser campaign that included a Super Bowl advert, GMC introduced its new Hummer EV to the world. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "American excess is back with the 1,000hp 2022 GMC Hummer EV truck," 21 Oct. 2020 Criticism of the advert ranged from labeling it as insensitive to being racist. — Norma Young, Quartz Africa, "An offensive haircare advert shows Black South Africans still have to fight apartheid’s race battles," 9 Sep. 2020 The retail chain said 425 of its stores have been targeted, with many prominent South Africans also taking to social media to comment on the advert. — Brent Swails And Aisha Salaudeen, CNN, "Protests erupt in South Africa over controversial TRESemme ad featuring Black hair," 8 Sep. 2020 The content and images of the advert were provided by TRESemmé, an American brand of hair care products, according to the company's Group CEO Vikesh Ramsunder. — Eoin Mcsweeney, CNN, "South Africa retailers remove TRESemmé products from shelves over 'racist' ad," 11 Sep. 2020 This is why for entrepreneur and TV mogul Basetsana Khumalo entrepreneur and former Miss South Africa; the advert isn’t just about hair. — Norma Young, Quartz Africa, "An offensive haircare advert shows Black South Africans still have to fight apartheid’s race battles," 9 Sep. 2020 Kate expressed sympathy with parents attempting to homeschool their children and couple also voiced an advert highlighting where people can find mental health support during the coronavirus crisis. — NBC News, "Prince William and Kate Middleton release pictures of Prince Louis for his birthday," 22 Apr. 2020 Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling is set to appear in a Pepsi advert alongside Lionel Messi and Paul Pogba, with the England international's commercial value at the top end of professional football continuing to grow. — SI.com, "Raheem Sterling Set for Pepsi Endorsement Alongside Lionel Messi & Paul Pogba," 12 Sep. 2019 So promised a 1960s-era advert for United Airlines, then America’s biggest carrier. — The Economist, "Air passengers are feeling the squeeze," 27 Dec. 2019

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

History and Etymology for advert

Verb

Middle English averten, adverten "to notice, think of, consider, be heedful," borrowed from Anglo-French avertir, advertir "to notify, (reflexive) recognize, be mindful of," going back to Vulgar Latin *advertīre, alteration (by conjugational shift) of Latin advertere "to turn or direct toward, direct (attention) toward, pay heed (to), attract the attention of," from ad- ad- + vertere "to turn" — more at worth entry 4

Noun

by shortening

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Cite this Entry

“Advert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advert. Accessed 26 Oct. 2020.

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