ENGLISH
REFERENCE

advance

v. · n. · adj.
US //ədˈvæns// UK //ɐdvˈæns// ad·vance
  1. 1 to move forward (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to move forward towards a goal or a place.

    to move forward in a purposeful manner, often in a military or strategic context.

    Example

    The army began to advance toward the city at dawn.

    Example

    The infantry continued to advance despite the heavy rain, determined to reach the high ground before the enemy could regroup.
  2. 2 to make progress (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to develop or improve in knowledge or skill.

    to make progress in a career, field of study, or developmental process.

    Example

    She worked hard to advance her career in the tech industry.

    Example

    Medical science has advanced significantly over the last decade, leading to much higher survival rates for previously untreatable conditions.
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  1. 3 to pay early (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to give someone money before the usual time they should receive it.

    to pay a sum of money before it is legally due or before a task is completed.

    Example

    The company agreed to advance him a month's salary to help with his move.

    Example

    The publisher offered to advance a portion of the royalties to the author upon the signing of the contract.
  2. 4 an improvement (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a development or improvement in a particular area.

    a forward step or a significant development in a field of knowledge or activity.

    Example

    The new battery technology is a major advance for electric cars.

    Example

    Recent advances in artificial intelligence have sparked a global debate regarding the ethical implications of automated decision-making.
  3. 5 early payment (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    money paid to you before you have earned it or before it is due.

    a sum of money paid in advance of work being done or a debt falling due.

    Example

    She used her book advance to pay off her student loans.

    Example

    The contractor requested a ten percent advance to cover the initial cost of materials before starting the renovation.
  4. 6 social/romantic approach (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    an attempt to start a romantic or sexual relationship with someone.

    an approach or overture made to someone, typically with a romantic or sexual intent; often used in the plural.

    Example

    She rejected his romantic advances because she wanted to stay friends.

    Example

    The employee filed a formal complaint after a senior manager made several unwelcome sexual advances during the conference.

    Usage

    Usually used in the plural form 'advances'.
  5. 7 done beforehand (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    happening or done before a particular event.

    done, given, or happening before a specific time or event; used attributively before a noun.

    Example

    You need to make an advance booking if you want a table on Friday.

    Example

    The security team received advance warning of the protest, allowing them to implement additional safety measures before the crowd arrived.
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂epó Proto-Italic *ap Latin ab Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₂énts Proto-Indo-European *-i Proto-Indo-European *h₂énti Proto-Italic *anti Latin ante Late Latin ab ante Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Vulgar Latin *abanteāre Old French avancierbor. Middle English avauncen English advance From Middle English avauncen, avancen, borrowed from Anglo-Norman avauncier, from Vulgar Latin *abanteāre, from Late Latin ab ante, from Latin ab + ante (“before”). ⟨d⟩ added in analogy to Latin ad- (cf. Middle French advancer). Compare avaunt.

Word family

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