/ ədˈvɑːns; NAmE -ˈvæns/ noun , verb , adjective
■ noun
FORWARD MOVEMENT
1.
[ C ] the forward movement of a group of people, especially armed forces :
We feared that an advance on the capital would soon follow.
DEVELOPMENT
2.
[ C , U ] advance (in sth) progress or a development in a particular activity or area of understanding :
recent advances in medical science
We live in an age of rapid technological advance.
MONEY
3.
[ C , usually sing. ] money paid for work before it has been done or money paid earlier than expected :
They offered an advance of £5 000 after the signing of the contract.
She asked for an advance on her salary.
SEXUAL
4.
advances [ pl. ] attempts to start a sexual relationship with sb :
He had made advances to one of his students.
PRICE INCREASE
5.
[ C ] advance (on sth) ( business ) an increase in the price or value of sth :
Share prices showed significant advances.
•
IDIOMS
- in advance (of sth)
■ verb
MOVE FORWARD
1.
[ v ] advance (on / towards sb/sth) to move forward towards sb/sth, often in order to attack or threaten them or it :
The mob advanced on us, shouting angrily.
The troops were finally given the order to advance.
They had advanced 20 miles by nightfall.
the advancing Allied troops
—compare retreat
DEVELOP
2.
if knowledge, technology, etc. advances , it develops and improves :
[ v ]
Our knowledge of the disease has advanced considerably over recent years.
[ vn ]
This research has done much to advance our understanding of language learning.
HELP TO SUCCEED
3.
[ vn ] to help sth to succeed
SYN further :
Studying for new qualifications is one way of advancing your career.
They worked together to advance the cause of democracy.
MONEY
4.
advance sth (to sb) | advance (sb) sth to give sb money before the time it would usually be paid :
[ vn , vnn ]
We are willing to advance the money to you.
We will advance you the money.
SUGGEST
5.
[ vn ] ( formal ) to suggest an idea, a theory, or a plan for other people to discuss
SYN put forward :
The article advances a new theory to explain changes in the climate.
MAKE EARLIER
6.
[ vn ] ( formal ) to change the time or date of an event so that it takes place earlier
SYN bring forward :
The date of the trial has been advanced by one week.
OPP postpone
MOVE FORWARD
7.
( formal ) to move forward to a later part of sth; to move sth forward to a later part :
[ v ]
Users advance through the program by answering a series of questions.
[ vn ]
This button advances the tape to the beginning of the next track.
INCREASE
8.
[ v ] ( business ) ( of prices, costs, etc. ) to increase in price or amount :
Oil shares advanced amid economic recovery hopes.
■ adjective [ only before noun ]
1.
done or given before sth is going to happen :
Please give us advance warning of any changes.
We need advance notice of the numbers involved.
No advance booking is necessary on most departures.
2.
advance party / team a group of people who go somewhere first, before the main group
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French avance (noun), avancer (verb), from late Latin abante in front, from ab from + ante before. The initial a- was mistakenly assimilated to ad- in the 16th cent.