I. əd-ˈvan(t)s verb
( ad·vanced ; ad·vanc·ing )
Etymology: Middle English advauncen, from Anglo-French avancer, from Vulgar Latin * abantiare, from Late Latin abante in front, from Latin ab- + ante before — more at ante-
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to accelerate the growth or progress of
advance a cause
2. : to bring or move forward
advance a pawn
3. : to raise to a higher rank
4. archaic : to lift up : raise
5. : to bring forward in time ; especially : to make earlier
advance the date of the meeting
6. : to bring forward for notice, consideration, or acceptance : propose
advance an idea
7. : to supply or furnish in expectation of repayment
advance a loan
8. : to raise in rate : increase
advance the rent
intransitive verb
1. : to move forward : proceed
an advancing army
2. : to make progress : increase
advance in age
3. : to rise in rank, position, or importance
advance through the ranks
4. : to rise in rate or price
advancing wages
• ad·vanc·er noun
Synonyms:
advance , promote , forward , further mean to help (someone or something) to move ahead. advance stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing about a desired end
advance the cause of peace
promote suggests an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status or rank
a campaign to promote better health
forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead
a wage increase would forward productivity
further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance
used the marriage to further his career
II. noun
Date: 1668
1. : a moving forward
2.
a. : progress in development
mistaking material advance for spiritual enrichment — H. J. Laski
b. : a progressive step : improvement
an advance in medical technique
3. : a rise in price, value, or amount
4. : a first step or approach made
her attitude discouraged all advance s
5. : a provision of something (as money or goods) before a return is received ; also : the money or goods supplied
•
- in advance
- in advance of
III. adjective
Date: 1701
1. : made, sent, or furnished ahead of time
advance sales
2. : going or situated before
an advance party of soldiers
an advance guard