Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense advances, present participle advancing, past tense, past participle advanced
1. verb
To advance means to move forward, often in order to attack someone.
The Allies began advancing on the city in 1943. [VERB preposition/adverb]
The water is advancing at a rate of 5cm a day. [VERB]
...a picture of a man throwing himself before an advancing tank. [VERB-ing]
2. verb
To advance means to make progress, especially in your knowledge of something.
Medical technology has advanced considerably. [VERB]
Synonyms: improve, rise, grow, develop More Synonyms of advance
3. See also advanced
4. verb
If you advance someone a sum of money, you lend it to them, or pay it to them earlier than arranged.
I advanced him some money, which he would repay on our way home. [VERB noun noun]
The bank advanced $1.2 billion to help the country with debt repayments. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: lend, loan, accommodate someone with, supply on credit More Synonyms of advance
5. countable noun
An advance is money which is lent or paid to someone before they would normally receive it.
She was paid a £100,000 advance for her next two novels.
Synonyms: down payment, credit, fee, deposit More Synonyms of advance
6. verb
To advance an event, or the time or date of an event, means to bring it forward to an earlier time or date.
Too much protein in the diet may advance the ageing process. [VERB noun]
The country's election commission has advanced the date of the election by threedays. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: accelerate, speed, promote, hurry (up) More Synonyms of advance
7. verb
If you advance a cause, interest, or claim, you support it and help to make it successful.
When not producing art of his own, Oliver was busy advancing the work of others. [VERB noun]
8. verb [usually passive]
When a theory or argument is advanced, it is put forward for discussion.
Many theories have been advanced as to why some women suffer from depression. [beVERB-ed]
An explanation has now been advanced by scientists. [beVERB-ed]
Synonyms: suggest, offer, present, propose More Synonyms of advance
9. variable noun
An advance is a forward movement of people or vehicles, usually as part of a military operation.
...an advance on enemy positions. [+ on]
The defences are intended to obstruct any advance by tanks and other vehicles.
Synonyms: attack, charge, strike, rush More Synonyms of advance
10. plural noun
If you make advances to someone, you try to start a sexual relationship with them.
[old-fashioned]
Mark had for some time been making advances towards her.
She rejected his advances during the trip to Cannes.
11. variable noun
An advance in a particular subject or activity is progress in understanding it or in doing it well.
...the technological advances of the last four decades.
Their progress at work was mirrored by their children's educational advance.
12. singular noun
If something is an advanceon what was previously available or done, it is better in some way.
This could be an advance on the present situation. [+ on]
13. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Advance booking, notice, or warning is done or given before an event happens.
They don't normally give any advance notice about which building they're going toinspect.
The event received little advance publicity.
Synonyms: prior, early, previous, beforehand More Synonyms of advance
14. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
An advance party or group is a small group of people who go on ahead of the main group.
The 20-strong advance party will be followed by another 600 soldiers.
15.
See in advance of
16.
See in advance
More Synonyms of advance
advance in British English
(ədˈvɑːns)
verb
1.
to go or bring forward in position
2. (foll by on)
to move (towards) in a threatening manner
3. (transitive)
to present for consideration; suggest
4.
to bring or be brought to a further stage of development; improve; further
5. (transitive)
to cause (an event) to occur earlier
6. (transitive)
to supply (money, goods, etc) beforehand, either for a loan or as an initial payment
7.
to increase (a price, value, rate of occurrence, etc) or (of a price, etc) to be increased
8. (intransitive)
to improve one's position; be promoted
he advanced rapidly in his job
9. (transitive) archaic
to promote in rank, status, or position
noun
10.
forward movement; progress in time or space
11.
improvement; progress in development
12. business
a.
the supplying of commodities or funds before receipt of an agreed consideration
b.
the commodities or funds supplied in this manner
c.
(as modifier)
an advance supply
13. Also called: advance payment
a money payment made before it is legally due
this is an advance on your salary
14.
a loan of money
15.
an increase in price, value, rate of occurrence, etc
16. a less common word for advancement (sense 1)
17. in advance
18. (modifier)
forward in position or time
advance booking
an advance warning
Derived forms
advancer (adˈvancer)
noun
advancingly (adˈvancingly)
adverb
Word origin
C15: advauncen, altered (on the model of words beginning with Latin ad-) from C13 avauncen, via Old French from Latin abante from before, from ab- away from + ante before
advance in American English
(ædˈvæns, -ˈvɑːns) (verb-vanced, -vancing)
transitive verb
1.
to move or bring forward
The general advanced his troops to the new position
2.
to bring into consideration or notice; suggest; propose
to advance reasons for a tax cut
3.
to improve; further
to advance one's interests
4.
to raise in rank; promote
The board of directors advanced him to president
5.
to raise in rate or amount; increase
to advance the price
6.
to bring forward in time; accelerate
to advance growth
to advance clocks one hour
7.
to supply beforehand; furnish on credit or before goods are delivered or work is done
8.
to furnish as part of a stock or fund
9.
to supply or pay in expectation of reimbursement
They advanced her $5000 against future royalties
10.
to schedule at a later time or date
to advance a meeting from early to late fall
11. informal
to do advance publicity for
to advance a rock singer's personal appearances
the most heavily advanced sports event in history
12. archaic
to raise, as a banner
intransitive verb
13.
to move or go forward; proceed
The troops advanced
14.
to increase in quantity, value, price, etc
His stock advanced three points
15. (of a color, form, etc., on a flat surface)
to move toward or be perceived as moving toward an observer, esp. as giving the illusion of space
Compare 1"> recede1 (sense 3)
16.
to improve or make progress
17.
to grow or rise in importance, status, etc
to advance in rank
18. informal
to provide publicity; do promotion
He was hired to advance for a best-selling author
noun
19.
a forward movement; progress in space
the advance of the troops to the border
20.
promotion; improvement in importance, rank, etc
his advance to the position of treasurer
21. (usually advances)
a.
attempts at forming an acquaintanceship, reaching an agreement, or the like, madeby one party
b.
actions or words intended to be sexually inviting
22.
addition to price; rise in price
an advance on cottons
23. Commerce
a.
a giving beforehand; a furnishing of something before an equivalent is received
An advance on his next month's salary permitted him to pay his debt on time
b.
the money or goods thus furnished
He received $100 as an advance against future delivery
24. Journalism
a.
copy prepared before the event it describes has occurred
The morning papers carried advances on the ceremony, which will take place tonight
b.
a press release, wire-service dispatch, or the like, as one containing the text or partial text of a speech, sent to arrive in advance of the event to which it is related
Compare release copy
25.
the leading body of an army
26. Military(formerly)
the order or a signal to advance
27. informal
a.
publicity done before the appearance of a noted person, a public event, etc.
She was hired to do advance for the candidate
b.
a person hired to do advance publicity for an event
He is regarded as the best advance in the business
28. Automobiles & Machinery
an adjustment made in the setting of the distributor of an internal-combustion engine to generate the spark for ignition in each cylinder earlier in the cycle
Compare "> retard (sense 5)
29. Geology
a seaward movement of the shoreline
30. See in advance
31. See in advance of
adjective
32.
going or placed before
an advance section of a train
33.
made or given ahead of time
an advance payment on a loan
34.
issued ahead of time
an advance copy of the President's speech
35.
having gone beyond others or beyond the average
Derived forms
advancingly
adverb
Word origin
[1200–50; ME avauncen ‹ AF, OF avanc(i)er ‹ VL *abantiāre, v. deriv. of LL abante in front (of) (L ab away from, off + ante before); ad- by mistaking a- for a-5 in the 16th cent.]
advance in Accounting
(ædvæns)
Word forms: (present) advances, (past) advanced, (perfect) advanced, (progressive) advancing
verb
(Accounting: Basic)
If you advance money for promised goods or services, you pay the money before the goods or services are provided.
A syndicate advanced the money to pay for the construction.
The subcontractor's severe cost overruns made it necessary for the company to advance cash to ensure completion of the project.
If you advance money for promised goods or services, you pay the money before the goods or servicesare provided.
Examples of 'advance' in a sentence
advance
The most astute business leaders think long in advance about their exits and their legacies.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Make it in advance and put it in the freezer for an easy family meal.
The Sun (2016)
His rehabilitation has advanced another notch.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Huge advances in computing, connectivity and data are transforming transport.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This could advance the way 999 calls are reported.
The Sun (2016)
I support anything that helps advance the understanding of brain tumour research.
The Sun (2017)
We wouldn't mind if it was included in the school calendar so we all knew well in advance.
The Sun (2016)
The next stage in advancing populism is to attack anybody who challenges the exclusive right of the populist party to define or interpret the national interest.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
With that advance, the time was right to address the long-standing question.
Smithsonian Insider (2017)
When combined with our existing and established approaches to visualisation it could result in significant advance in the way we view, experience, and react to complex situations.
Computing (2010)
The findings could help provide advance forecasts for winters.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They also need to help the people advance in the social sphere.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Some scammers post fake adverts and try to trick you into handing over deposit money in advance.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The problems that these advances also bring are more manageable on surface ships than anywhere else.
Mcinnes, Colin & Sheffield G.D (eds.) Warfare in the Twentieth Century (1988)
Nationwide allows this three months in advance without another valuation.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It is about time that it advanced further into the alphabet!
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The service needs to be set up in advance of your trip.
The Sun (2006)
The technologies of monitoring and assessment have made huge advances.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You can make it in advance and keep it in the fridge for a week or so.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This rise in productivity was partly due to technological advances.
Divine, Robert A. (editor) & Breen, T. H & Frederickson, George M & Williams, R. Hal America Past and Present (1995)
The suspected location of that line would be crossed in the next advance.
Oliver Poole BLACK KNIGHTS: On the Bloody Road to Baghdad (2003)
They credit the competitive forces of auctions for the increase in advances.
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
This was not because it was advanced in any way.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
Will technological advances inevitably lead to the disappearance of the book?
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
The advance party had been busy assembling the body armour for the whole of the battle group.
Richard Holmes Dusty Warriors: Modern Soldiers at War (2006)
Entry is free but limited space makes advance booking vital.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Tickets will be available in advance only to those who submit to detailed identity checks.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Proper advance notice that existing banking arrangements are about to be changed or new charges introduced.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Is he the man who most advances our understanding of the quarry?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The institute has also made significant advances in the field of education and training.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We are now men of advancing years.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You should research a reputable company who can handle the sale on your behalf without advance payments.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We begin to schedule conversations only with people who we feel advance our cause of growing the church.
Christianity Today (2000)
He had been flitting between two sections as the men advanced and each group thought he was with the other.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
advance
British English: advance /ədˈvɑːns/ NOUN
An advance is money which is lent or paid to someone before they would normally receive it.
She was paid a £100,000 advance for her next two novels.
American English: advance
Arabic: سَلَف
Brazilian Portuguese: adiantamento
Chinese: 前进
Croatian: avans
Czech: záloha zaplacená
Danish: forskud
Dutch: voorschot
European Spanish: avance
Finnish: eteneminen
French: avance
German: Vorschuss
Greek: πρόοδος
Italian: avanzamento
Japanese: 前進
Korean: 선금
Norwegian: forskudd
Polish: postęp
European Portuguese: adiantamento
Romanian: avans
Russian: аванс
Latin American Spanish: anticipo
Swedish: förskott (n)
Thai: ความก้าวหน้า
Turkish: avans
Ukrainian: аванс
Vietnamese: tiền tạm ứng
British English: advance /ədˈvɑːns/ VERB
move forward To advance means to move forward, often in order to attack someone.
Reports from Chad suggest that rebel forces are advancing on the capital.
American English: advance
Arabic: يَتَقَدَّمُ
Brazilian Portuguese: avançar
Chinese: 前进
Croatian: napredovati
Czech: postupovat vpřed
Danish: rykke frem
Dutch: voortbewegen
European Spanish: avanzar
Finnish: edetä
French: avancer
German: vorantreiben
Greek: προχωρώ
Italian: avanzare
Japanese: 前進する
Korean: 진군하다
Norwegian: rykke frem
Polish: posunąć się naprzód
European Portuguese: avançar
Romanian: a avansa
Russian: продвигаться
Latin American Spanish: avanzar
Swedish: avancera
Thai: ก้าวหน้า
Turkish: ilerlemek
Ukrainian: наступати
Vietnamese: tạm ứng
British English: advance ADJECTIVE
Advance booking, notice, or warning is done or given before an event happens.
They don't normally give any advance notice about which building they're going to inspect.
American English: advance
Brazilian Portuguese: antecipado
Chinese: 事先的预定、通知、警告等
European Spanish: anticipado
French: à l'avance
German: Voraus-
Italian: in anticipo
Japanese: 事前の
Korean: 사전의
European Portuguese: antecipado
Latin American Spanish: anticipado
British English: advance VERB
progress To advance means to make progress, especially in your knowledge of something.
Medical technology has advanced considerably.
American English: advance
Brazilian Portuguese: avançar
Chinese: 发展尤指知识
European Spanish: avanzar
French: avancer
German: Fortschritte machen
Italian: progredire
Japanese: 進歩する
Korean: 증진되다
European Portuguese: avançar
Latin American Spanish: avanzar
All related terms of 'advance'
advance fee
See front money (sense 3 )
advance man
an agent of a political candidate or other public figure who travels in advance of the candidate to organize publicity , arrange meetings , and make security checks
advance men
an agent of a political candidate or other public figure who travels in advance of the candidate to organize publicity , arrange meetings , and make security checks
in advance
If you do something in advance , you do it before a particular date or event.
advance copy
a copy of a book, speech etc released to the media , reviewers, etc before it is published , delivered , etc and before it is necessarily in its final state
advance guard
a military unit sent ahead of a main body to find gaps in enemy defences , clear away minor opposition , and prevent unexpected contact
advance party
a small group of soldiers who go ahead of the main body of troops to prepare the way for their arrival , or any group that does the same thing or arrives ahead of the main body
advance poll
(in an election ) a poll held prior to election day to permit voters who expect to be absent then to cast their ballots
advance ratio
the ratio of wind speed along the axis of a rotor or propeller to the speed of the blade tip
cash advance
an amount of money borrowed as a short-term loan against a salary , credit card, etc
paper advance
the feeding of paper through a printer
advance notice
the act of perceiving ; observation ; attention
advance payment
a sum of money paid in advance as a part or the whole of the sum due
advance warning
A warning is an advance notice of something that will happen , often something unpleasant or dangerous .
advance directive
a document stating that if its author becomes terminally ill , his or her life should not be prolonged by artificial means, such as a life-support machine
in advance of
If one thing happens or is done in advance of another, it happens or is done before the other thing.
angle of advance
the angle in excess of 90° that a steam-engine valve gear is in advance of the crank
payment in advance
If a business asks for payment in advance , the payment must be received in full before the goods or services are delivered .
advance corporation tax
a former UK tax in which a company paying a dividend had to deduct the basic rate of income tax from the grossed-up value of the dividend and pay it to the Inland Revenue
advance purchase booking
Advance purchase booking is an arrangement that allows you to book and pay for a hotel room before you arrive , usually at a discounted rate .
advance information sheet
a document giving details about a book that is to be published in the near future
front money
an amount of money paid in advance
vaunce
to advance
Chinese translation of 'advance'
advance
(ədˈvɑːns)
vi
(= move forward) 前进(進) (qiánjìn)
(= make progress) 进(進)展 (jìnzhǎn)
n
(c/u) (= development) 发(發)展 (fāzhǎn)
(c/u) (= movement forward) 挺进(進) (tǐngjìn)
(c) (= money) 预(預)付款 (yùfùkuǎn)
adj
[notice, warning]预(預)先的 (yùxiān de)
vt
[money]预(預)付 (yùfù)
(= propose)[theory, idea]提出 (tíchū)
(= bring forward) 提前 (tíqián)
troops are advancing on the capital部队(隊)正朝首都挺进(進) (bùduì zhèng cháo shǒudū tǐngjìn)
in advance[book, prepare, plan]提前 (tíqián)
in advance of (= before) 在 ... 之前 (zài ... zhīqián)
(to pay sb) an advance on sth预(預)付(某人)某事的费(費)用 (yùfù (mǒurén) mǒushì de fèiyòng)