English Reference

Word

ADS

Phoneticsads

US/ˈædz/

UK/ˈædz/

Countable noun

Definition

n. short for advertisements; pictures, videos, or text used to persuade you to buy something.

n. the plural form of the abbreviation for advertisements; public notices or announcements promoting a product, service, or event.

Examples

“I see too many ads on my social media feed.”

“The company decided to run targeted ads during the championship game to reach a wider audience of sports fans.”

“While digital ads offer unprecedented tracking capabilities, many consumers find the resulting loss of privacy an unacceptable trade-off for personalized content.”

Examples

simple

“I see too many ads on my social media feed.”

contextual

“The company decided to run targeted ads during the championship game to reach a wider audience of sports fans.”

complex

“While digital ads offer unprecedented tracking capabilities, many consumers find the resulting loss of privacy an unacceptable trade-off for personalized content.”

Usage

Commonly used as a plural noun; the singular 'ad' is equally standard in informal and semi-formal contexts.

Pitfall

The company made many publicity.

The company made many ads.

Learners often confuse 'publicity' (uncountable) with 'ads' (countable); use 'ads' when referring to specific promotional messages.

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Common
Level
A2 · Elementary
Updated

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