# advertise

/ˈædvɝˌtaɪz/ (US) · /ˈædvətˌaɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/advertise
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to promote a product

verb · CEFR A2

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

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

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

### 2. to look for an employee

verb · CEFR B1

to post a notice saying that a job is available.

For teachers: to announce a job vacancy publicly to attract potential applicants.

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

### 3. to make something known

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

- He didn't want to advertise the fact that he was feeling very nervous.
- Her expensive designer clothing seemed to advertise her wealth to everyone in the room.

## Examples

- The company plans to advertise its new phone on social media.
- Local businesses often advertise in the community newspaper to reach customers who live nearby.
- While many brands advertise through traditional television commercials, younger audiences are increasingly reached through targeted digital campaigns that appear directly in their social feeds.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.