advance

1 of 3

verb

ad·​vance əd-ˈvan(t)s How to pronounce advance (audio)
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Research and computational power in machine learning have advanced a lot. Cody Greco, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 Their team not only advances the science of fire safety but also transforms the stressful and all-consuming aspect of ensuring safety for event organizers into a seamless, effortless experience. Kyle Russell, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
However, not everyone makes their travel plans far in advance. Roger Sands, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024 Guests won’t even be able to tell the difference between fresh-off-the-stovetop potatoes and the same creamy version made days in advance. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024
Adjective
On Monday, Amazon Prime screenings generated $2.5 million at 750 theaters, while advance screenings on Wednesday generated another $5.7 million from 2,000 theaters. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024 The data was included in the advance gross domestic product report for the third quarter, which was published on Wednesday. Lucia Mutikani, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for advance 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of advance was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near advance

Cite this Entry

“Advance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advance. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

advance

1 of 3 verb
ad·​vance əd-ˈvan(t)s How to pronounce advance (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on advance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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