I. ad ‧ vance 1 S2 W2 /ədˈvɑːns $ ədˈvæns/ BrE AmE noun
1 . in advance (of something) before something happens or is expected to happen:
I should warn you in advance that I’m not a very good dancer.
Many thanks, in advance, for your help.
six months/a year etc in advance
Book tickets 21 days in advance.
Could you distribute copies well in advance of the meeting?
2 . be in advance of somebody/something to be more developed or modern than someone or something else:
Their aircraft were in advance of those used by the US.
3 . DEVELOPMENT/IMPROVEMENT [countable] a change, discovery, or ↑ invention that brings progress
technological/scientific/medical etc advance
one of the great technological advances of the 20th century
a major advance
advance in
Recent advances in genetics have raised moral questions.
advance on
an advance on previous treatments
the advances made in the understanding of mental handicap
4 . FORWARD MOVEMENT [countable] forward movement or progress of a group of people – used especially to talk about soldiers
advance on
the enemy’s advance on St. Petersburg
5 . MONEY [countable usually singular] money paid to someone before the usual time, especially someone’s salary:
a $500 advance
advance on
Krebs decided to ask for an advance on his salary.
6 . advances [plural] formal an attempt to start a sexual relationship with someone:
She accused her boss of making advances to her.
The witness said that he ‘went berserk’ when she rejected his sexual advances.
7 . INCREASE [countable] an increase in the price or value of something – used especially when talking about the ↑ stock exchange
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THESAURUS
▪ progress noun [uncountable] /ˈprəʊɡres $ ˈprɑː-/ the process of getting better at doing something, or getting closer to finishing or achieving something:
a test of the students' progress.
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We have made good progress towards meeting our objectives.
▪ advance noun [countable usually plural] /ədˈvɑːns $ ədˈvæns/ a discovery, invention, or change that brings progress:
the technological advances of the twentieth century
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advances in scientific knowledge
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In recent years there have been enormous economic and social advances.
▪ breakthrough noun [countable] /ˈbreɪkθruː/ an important discovery or achievement that makes progress possible, especially one that happens suddenly after a long period of trying:
Scientists have described the discovery as a major breakthrough.
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The breakthrough in the investigation came when police found a stolen car.
▪ make headway to make progress towards achieving something – used especially when it is difficult to make progress:
After several months of discussion, the committee had made little headway.
II. advance 2 W3 BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: avancier , from Vulgar Latin abantiare , from Latin abante 'before' ]
1 . MOVE FORWARD [intransitive] to move towards someone or something, especially in a slow and determined way – used especially to talk about soldiers:
A line of US tanks slowly advanced.
advance on
Troops advanced on the rebel stronghold (=moved towards it in order to attack it) .
advance across/through/towards
The army advanced across the plain.
2 . DEVELOP [intransitive and transitive] if scientific or technical knowledge advances, or if something advances it, it develops and improves:
Our understanding of human genetics has advanced considerably.
The group’s research has done much to advance our knowledge of the HIV virus.
3 . MONEY [transitive] to give someone money before they have earned it
advance somebody something
Will they advance you some money until you get your first paycheck?
advance something to somebody
I advanced $1,500 to Kramer last Thursday.
4 . advance your career/a cause/your interests etc to do something that will help you achieve an advantage or success for yourself or someone else:
Jameson agreed to the deal in an effort to advance his political career.
5 . PRICE [intransitive] if the price or value of something advances, it increases – used especially when talking about the ↑ stock exchange
6 . TIME/DATE [transitive] formal to change the time or date when an event should happen to an earlier time or date:
The meeting has been advanced to ten o'clock.
7 . MACHINE [intransitive and transitive] formal if you advance a film, clock, musical recording etc, or if it advances, it goes forward
⇨ ↑ advancing
III. advance 3 BrE AmE adjective
1 . advance planning/warning/booking etc planning etc that is done before an event:
We received no advance warning of the storm.
2 . advance party/team a group of people who go first to a place where something will happen to prepare for it
3 . advance copy a copy of a book, record etc that has not yet been made available to the public