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advertise

v.
US //ˈædvɝˌtaɪz// UK //ˈædvətˌaɪz// ad·ver·tise
  1. 1 to promote a product (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to tell people about a product or service in newspapers, on TV, or online so that they will buy it.

    to describe or present a product, service, or event in a public medium to increase sales or awareness.

    Example

    The company spent millions of dollars to advertise their new smartphone during the football game.

    Example

    Global brands often advertise their flagship products across multiple digital platforms to ensure maximum reach among younger demographics.

    Usage

    This is a transitive verb that takes the product or service as its direct object.

    Pitfall
    They advertised about the new car.
    They advertised the new car.

    The verb 'advertise' is transitive; you advertise the thing itself, not 'about' the thing.

  2. 2 to look for an employee (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to post a notice saying that a job is available.

    to announce a job vacancy publicly to attract potential applicants.

    Example

    The restaurant is advertising for a new head chef to start next month.

    Example

    The university decided to advertise the professorship internationally to attract a diverse pool of highly qualified candidates.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'for' when the object is the person being sought.

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  1. 3 to make something known (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to show or tell people about something, sometimes without meaning to.

    to make a quality or fact known to others, often through one's appearance or behaviour.

    Example

    He didn't want to advertise the fact that he was feeling very nervous.

    Example

    Her expensive designer clothing seemed to advertise her wealth to everyone in the room.

Origin

From Middle English advertisen, from Anglo-Norman advertir (“to inform”), avertir, Middle French advertir, avertir (“to warn, give notice to”), with the French -iss- infix assimilated to -ise, -ize and probably influenced by the noun advertisement. Compare also advert.

Word family

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