INDEX:
1. machines, systems etc
2. countries
RELATED WORDS
opposite
↑ OLD-FASHIONED
↑ POOR
see also
↑ MODERN
↑ NEW
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1. machines, systems etc
▷ advanced /ədˈvɑːnstǁədˈvænst/ [adjective]
▪ The factory has installed advanced machinery at enormous cost.
▪ Modern armies consist of fewer soldiers and more advanced weapons systems.
▪ The bomb-detection equipment now used in most airports is very advanced.
▷ sophisticated /səˈfɪstɪkeɪtəd, səˈfɪstəkeɪtəd/ [adjective]
very advanced, and better designed or more skilfully made than other things of the same type, and often working in a complicated way :
▪ The missile has a sophisticated guidance system.
highly sophisticated
very sophisticated
▪ Eye operations often involve the use of highly sophisticated equipment, such as lasers.
▷ high-tech/hi-tech /ˌhaɪ ˈtek◂/ [adjective]
high-tech industry/company/equipment etc
using very advanced electronic equipment and machines, especially computers :
▪ Northern California remains a popular location for high-tech firms.
▪ On display at the exhibition will be a range of ‘hi-tech homes of the future’.
▪ Prices of computers, electronics, and other high-tech products have fallen at a rapid pace.
▷ smart /smɑːʳt/ [adjective only before noun]
a smart machine, bomb, weapon etc has a computer system that makes it able to control itself and make decisions for itself about how to operate :
▪ The US used smart weapons in Iraq and Kosovo.
▪ Smart machines and other appliances are operated via the Internet.
▷ state-of-the-art /ˌsteɪt əv ði ˈɑːʳt◂/ [adjective]
using the most advanced and recently developed methods, materials, or knowledge :
▪ The new phone system uses state-of-the-art technology.
▪ The movie was made with state-of-the-art computer graphics.
the state of the art [noun phrase]
▪ Opus III represents the state of the art the most advanced type in word-processing packages.
▷ be ahead of its time /biː əˌhed əv ɪts ˈtaɪm/ [verb phrase]
if something is ahead of its time, it is new and very different from other things of a similar type - use this especially about things that people do not understand or like at first, but later realize how good they are :
▪ The Vortex graphics system was ahead of its time. Few were sold but it strongly influenced later designs.
▪ Bonner’s research in particle physics was ahead of its time and widely misunderstood.
▷ at the leading edge of/cutting edge of /ət ðə ˌliːdɪŋ ˈedʒ ɒv, ˌkʌtɪŋ ˈedʒ ɒv/ [preposition]
in a more advanced position than other organizations or companies in developing and using new methods, systems, or equipment :
▪ The company is trying to regain its position at the leading edge of biomedical research.
▪ Developments in computer chip design are at the cutting edge of the technological revolution.
leading-edge/cutting-edge /ˈliːdɪŋ edʒ, ˈkʌtɪŋ edʒ/ [adjective only before noun]
▪ an exciting new project, using cutting-edge technology
2. countries
▷ advanced /ədˈvɑːnstǁədˈvænst/ [adjective]
advanced countries use advanced industrial methods, equipment etc, and have a modern economic and political system :
▪ Many of the nations of southeast Asia will one day be as advanced as Japan or South Korea.
▪ Social problems such as teen pregnancy, drug abuse, and high divorce rates are often common in the most advanced countries.
▷ developed /dɪˈveləpt/ [adjective only before noun]
a developed country has modern industrial, health, and education systems -- use this when comparing these countries with poorer countries :
▪ Birthrates in developed countries are generally very low.
▪ This disease has mostly been eliminated, at least in the developed nations.