Definition

1. Verb:

   • To move forward: To go or cause to go forward in position or progress.
   • To promote or raise: To help the progress or development of something; to raise someone to a higher rank or position.
   • To suggest or propose: To put forward an idea, theory, or argument for consideration.
   • To pay or lend money before it is due: To provide money ahead of the usual time.
   • To increase: To rise in amount, price, or value.

2. Noun:

   • A forward movement: Progress or development.
   • An improvement: A change for the better.
   • Money paid or lent before due: A payment made before goods or services are received, or a loan.
   • A suggestion or approach: A tentative proposal or an amorous approach.

3. Adjective:

   • Done or given before: Made, sent, or provided ahead of time.

Examples

• Verb:

  • The army will advance at dawn. (To move forward)
  • Her research advanced our understanding of the disease. (To promote development)
  • He advanced a new theory during the meeting. (To suggest)
  • Can the company advance me my salary? (To pay money before due)
  • Property values continue to advance. (To increase)

• Noun:

  • Recent advances in medicine have saved many lives. (Progress)
  • She made a significant advance in her career. (Improvement)
  • I received a small advance on my next paycheck. (Money paid before due)
  • She politely rejected his romantic advances. (Approaches)

• Adjective:

  • We received advance warning about the storm. (Given before)
  • Please give advance notice if you need to cancel. (Prior)

Advanced Usage

• "In advance (of)": Beforehand; ahead of time or in front of.

  • You must book your tickets two weeks in advance.
  • His ideas were in advance of his time.

• "Advance on": To move towards something, often in a threatening way, or an increase in price/value.

  • The troops advanced on the city.
  • There was a sharp advance on the stock market.

Variants and Related Words

• Advanced (adj): Highly developed or complex; far on in progress.
  • She is studying advanced mathematics.
• Advancement (n): The process of promoting a cause or the progress in one's career.
  • He was recognized for the advancement of science.
  • Opportunities for career advancement are good here.

Synonyms

• Verb: Progress, proceed, promote, propose, lend.
• Noun: Progress, improvement, loan, approach.
• Adjective: Early, prior, preliminary.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Advance against/on/towards: To move forward in the direction of something.
  • The soldiers advanced towards the enemy position.
• Advance to/towards: To progress to a further stage.
  • The team advanced to the finals.

Related Idioms

• "Make advances": To attempt to start a romantic or sexual relationship with someone.
  • He was accused of making unwanted advances at work.
• "Pay in advance": To pay for something before you receive it.
  • The landlord requires the rent to be paid in advance.

Adjective

1. situated ahead or going before
   • an advance party
   • at that time the most advanced outpost was still east of the Rockies
2. being ahead of time or need
   • gave advance warning
   • was beforehand with her report

Noun

1. increase in price or value
   • the news caused a general advance on the stock market
2. an amount paid before it is earned
3. the act of moving forward (as toward a goal)
4. a tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others
   • she rejected his advances
5. a change for the better; progress in development
6. a movement forward
   • he listened for the progress of the troops

Verb

1. rise in rate or price
   • The stock market gained 24 points today
2. move forward
   • we have to advance clocks and watches when we travel eastward
3. pay in advance
   • Can you advance me some money?
4. give a promotion to or assign to a higher position
   • John was kicked upstairs when a replacement was hired
   • Women tend not to advance in the major law firms
   • I got promoted after many years of hard work
5. develop further
   • We are advancing technology every day
6. develop in a positive way
   • He progressed well in school
   • My plants are coming along
   • Plans are shaping up
7. obtain advantages, such as points, etc.
   • The home team was gaining ground
   • After defeating the Knicks, the Blazers pulled ahead of the Lakers in the battle for the number-one playoff berth in the Western Conference
8. cause to move forward
   • Can you move the car seat forward?
9. contribute to the progress or growth of
   • I am promoting the use of computers in the classroom
10. increase or raise
    • boost the voltage in an electrical circuit
11. bring forward for consideration or acceptance
    • advance an argument
12. move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
    • Time marches on