Advance: meaning, definitions and examples

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advance

[ədˈvɑːns ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

in education

Move forward in a purposeful way, typically in terms of progress or development.

Synonyms

move forward, proceed, progress.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
advance	Refers to moving something to an earlier date or time, mainly in scheduling or planning. Can we advance the meeting to Tuesday? The deadline has been advanced due to new requirements
progress	Used to describe improvement or development over time, usually in a positive sense and often in educational, professional, or developmental contexts. The students are making good progress in their studies We need to show significant progress by the end of the quarter
proceed	Often used in a formal or semi-formal context to mean continuing with an action or course. It can also imply following instructions or rules. After collecting all the data, we will proceed with the analysis Please proceed to the next section of the form
move forward	A general term to indicate making progress or physically moving ahead. It is commonly used in both formal and informal situations. It's time to move forward with our plans The line of people slowly moved forward as the gates opened

Examples of usage

The students advanced to the next level of the course.
She advanced her research by conducting experiments.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

in career

Move forward in position or rank.

Synonyms

elevate, promote, upgrade.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
advance	Also used as a verb, to indicate the act of moving forward or promoting a cause. She hopes to advance to a management position within the next year. They worked hard to advance the cause of human rights.
promote	Commonly used in professional settings to indicate the act of raising someone to a higher position or increasing awareness of a cause/product; can be both positive or negative. The company decided to promote him to the position of senior manager. They are planning a campaign to promote the new product.
elevate	Indicating the act of raising something to a higher position, either physical or in rank/status; often used in metaphorical or formal contexts. We need to elevate the discussion to a more strategic level. Winning the award helped elevate her status in the industry.
upgrade	Typically used in contexts where improvement or enhancement of a product, service, or experience is involved, often in terms of technology or facilities. She decided to upgrade her phone to the latest model. The hotel upgraded our room to a suite at no extra cost.

Examples of usage

He advanced quickly in his career due to his hard work.
She advanced to a management position within the company.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

in money

A sum of money paid before it is due or earned.

Synonyms

deposit, payment, prepayment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
advance	Used to indicate early payment, often before the full amount is due. Common in business transactions, reservations, or issuing loans. You need to make an advance payment to secure your booking. She received an advance on her salary to cover her medical bills.
payment	A general term indicating the transfer of money in exchange for goods or services, can be used in almost any financial transaction. The payment for your order has been successfully processed. They made a payment on their loan last week.
prepayment	Used when paying for something before it's due or before receiving the goods or services. Often used in financing and loan repayment contexts. He made a prepayment on his mortgage to reduce the total interest. We offer discounts for prepayment on annual subscriptions.
deposit	Used when referring to a first payment made to reserve or hold something, like renting an apartment or buying expensive items. It often represents a portion of the total cost, with the understanding that the remainder will be paid later. You need to pay a $500 deposit to rent this apartment. I left a deposit at the hotel to ensure my room would be available.

Examples of usage

He received an advance on his paycheck.
The author was given an advance for her upcoming book.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'advantiare,' meaning to 'go forward' or 'to progress.'
In Old French, it transformed into 'avancer,' which meant to 'move forward' or 'to rise in position.'
Since the early 15th century, it has been used in English to describe making progress or improving.

Science

In technology, 'advance' often relates to innovations that improve efficiency, such as AI and automation.
In medical sciences, advancements in research have led to better treatment options and higher survival rates for various diseases.
Psychological studies indicate that a feeling of progress or advancement can greatly boost motivation and well-being.

Pop Culture

In video games, players often aim to 'advance' through levels, showcasing efforts to improve their skills.
In film, character development often revolves around an 'advance' in personal growth or overcoming obstacles.
The term is used in sports to describe teams' progress in tournaments, where advancing means moving to the next round.

Literature

Literary works often explore themes of personal advancement, where characters evolve and face challenges.
In poetry, an advance can symbolize the journey of life, encapsulating the push towards goals and aspirations.
Famous novels like 'The Great Gatsby' depict the American Dream, a concept closely tied to the idea of advancing one's status.

History

The Industrial Revolution marked a significant advancement in technology, reshaping societies and economies.
During the Renaissance, advances in art and science fostered new ways of thinking and creativity.
In the 20th century, civil rights movements were driven by the desire to advance equality and justice for marginalized groups.

Translations

Translations of the word "advance" in other languages:

🇵🇹 avançar

🇮🇳 अग्रसर होना

🇩🇪 vorrücken

🇮🇩 maju

🇺🇦 просуватися

🇵🇱 posuwać się naprzód

🇯🇵 進む (susumu)

🇫🇷 avancer

🇪🇸 avanzar

🇹🇷 ilerlemek

🇰🇷 진전하다 (jinjeonhada)

🇸🇦 تقدم (taqaddum)

🇨🇿 postoupit

🇸🇰 postupovať

🇨🇳 前进 (qiánjìn)

🇸🇮 napredovati

🇮🇸 framför

🇰🇿 ілгері жылжу

🇬🇪 წინსვლა (ts'insvla)

🇦🇿 irəliləmək

🇲🇽 avanzar

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,416, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.

...
1413 pointed
1414 happy
1415 opposite
1416 advance
1417 suitable
1418 limits
1419 testimony
...