advances; advanced; advancing
1
a
: to move forward
The car advanced slowly down the street.
The sun slowly advanced across the sky.
She opened the door and advanced cautiously into the room.
Enemy soldiers are advancing on the city. [=they are approaching the city in order to attack it]
b
: to move (someone or something) forward
advance the hands of a clock
advance a pawn [=move a pawn forward in a game of chess]
The film is advanced by an electric motor.
The team advanced the ball steadily down the field.
2
: to go forward : to make progress
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.
: to continue in a process of development, aging, etc.
As he advanced in age and stature he advanced in knowledge.
Their children are advancing toward maturity.
3
: to increase in amount or rate
These measures are intended to keep landlords from advancing [=raising] rents unfairly.
Wages have continued to advance.
Some stock prices have advanced while others have declined.
Loss of memory is often a sign of advancing age.
4
a
: to help the progress of (something)
heroes whose sacrifices advanced the cause of freedom
Volunteers have been raising money to advance the work of the society.
They used propaganda to advance their cause.
He was advancing his own interests at the expense of his friend's.
: to cause or help (something) to go forward or continue
advance a plot
b
: to make (something) higher or better : to cause improvement to (something)
The success of this novel will help to advance [=enhance] his reputation/status.
5
a
: to raise (someone) to a higher rank or position
He was advanced [=promoted] from clerk to assistant manager.
b
: to rise to a higher rank or position
The family has advanced to a position of influence in the community.
He advanced quickly through the ranks.
She has continued to advance steadily in her career.
6
: to give money to someone as a loan or before the usual time
advance a loan to someone = advance someone a loan
advance an employee a week's pay
His publisher advanced him $100,000 on/for his new book.
7
: to suggest or propose (something) for consideration or acceptance
advance a new plan/theory
advance an argument
Many theories were advanced and rejected.
8
a
: to cause (something) to occur more quickly
a chemical used to advance the ripening of fruit
b
: to make (something) earlier
advance the date of the meeting
plural advances
1
: forward movement
trying to halt the enemy's advance
trying to halt the enemy's advances
2
: progress in the development or improvement of something
recent advances in medicine
a big/dramatic/huge/major/significant 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.
policies that are important for economic advance [=advancement]
3
: a rise in price, value, or amount
The workers won wage advances.
a yearlong advance in stock prices
4
: the act of speaking to someone in an effort to start a sexual relationship
—usually plural
Her unfriendly look discourages advances.
She rebuffed/rejected his advances.
He is accused of making unwelcome sexual advances to female coworkers.
5
: money given to someone as a loan or before the usual time of payment
I need an advance on my salary.
He was given a $100,000 advance on/for his new book.
a cash advance
always used before a noun
1
: made, sent, or provided at an early time
an advance payment
an advance warning
an advance copy of a new book
2
: going or placed before others
an advance guard
an advance scout
(US) an advance man/woman/team [=a man, woman, or group whose job is to go to a place and make preparations for someone (such as a politician or an entertainer) who is coming to visit that place at a later time]
Cite this Entry
“Advance.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/advance. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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