advance

/ədˈvɑːns/
to move forward or progress

The army advanced toward the enemy lines.

The army moved forward toward the enemy lines.


general

to move forward or progress

She advanced her career by taking on new challenges.

She progressed in her career by taking on new challenges.

Can be used both literally and figuratively.

general

to provide or give something in advance

The company advanced the payment to the supplier.

The company gave the payment to the supplier before it was due.

Often used in financial or business contexts.

LawBusiness
formal

to propose or suggest something

The lawyer advanced a new argument in court.

The lawyer proposed a new argument in court.

Used in formal or professional settings.

Collocations

advance noticenotification given in advanceadvance paymentpayment made before it is dueadvance warningwarning given before an event

Related Phrases

advance to the frontphrase
to move forward to the front
advance noticephrase
notification given in advance

Pro Tip

Verb vs. Noun

Remember that 'advance' can be both a verb (to move forward) and a noun (a forward movement or payment).

Gold Rule

Context Matters

The meaning of 'advance' can vary based on context, so pay attention to how it is used in a sentence.

Word Origin

From Middle English 'advancen', from Old French 'avancer', from Latin 'abante' (before) + 'ante' (before).

Usage Notes

Can be used as both a verb and a noun. As a noun, it refers to a forward movement or a payment made in advance.

Word Breakdown

ad-
to
prefix
+
-vance
to move forward
root
English Dictionary