- 1 [intransitive] to move forward towards somebody/something, often in order to attack or threaten them or it The troops were finally given the order to advance. They had advanced 20 miles by nightfall. the advancing Allied troops advance on/towards somebody/something The mob advanced on us, shouting angrily. She closed the door firmly and advanced towards the desk. compare retreat Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbquickly, rapidly, cautiously, … prepositionfrom, into, on, … See full entry develop
- 2 [intransitive, transitive] if knowledge, technology, etc. advances, it develops and improves Our knowledge of the disease has advanced considerably over recent years. advance something This research has done much to advance our understanding of language learning. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbconsiderably, greatly, significantly, … prepositionbeyond See full entry help to succeed
- 3[transitive] to help something to succeed synonym further Studying for new qualifications is one way of advancing your career. They worked together to advance the cause of democracy. money
- 4[transitive] to give somebody money before the time it would usually be paid advance something to somebody We are willing to advance the money to you. advance somebody something We will advance you the money. suggest
- 5[transitive] advance something (formal) to suggest an idea, a theory, or a plan for other people to discuss synonym put forward The article advances a new theory to explain changes in the climate. make earlier
- 6[transitive] advance something (formal) to change the time or date of an event so that it takes place earlier synonym bring forward The date of the trial has been advanced by one week. opposite postpone move forward
- 7[intransitive, transitive] (formal) to move forward to a later part of something; to move something forward to a later part Users advance through the program by answering a series of questions. advance something This button advances the hours and the red one advances the minutes in the display. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbquickly, rapidly, cautiously, … prepositionfrom, into, on, … See full entry increase
- 8[intransitive] (business) (of prices, costs, etc.) to increase in price or amount Oil shares advanced amid economic recovery hopes. Word OriginMiddle 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.Extra examples He advanced towards me in aggressive style. Society needs to advance beyond prejudice and superstition. The army advanced on the capital. The troops advanced into central Europe. advancing from the south As medical science advances, treatments are becoming more and more expensive. He advanced towards her. Our knowledge of the disease has advanced considerably in recent years. Studying for new qualifications is one way to advance your career. The article advances a new theory to explain changes in the climate. The people fled from the advancing army. This proposal has frequently been advanced as a possible solution. Troops were given the order to advance. Will excavating this site advance our knowledge of history in a significant way?
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BrE BrE//ədˈvɑːns//; NAmE NAmE//ədˈvæns//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they advance BrE BrE//ədˈvɑːns//; NAmE NAmE//ədˈvæns//
he / she / it advances BrE BrE//ədˈvɑːnsɪz//; NAmE NAmE//ədˈvænsɪz//
past simple advanced BrE BrE//ədˈvɑːnst//; NAmE NAmE//ədˈvænst//
past participle advanced BrE BrE//ədˈvɑːnst//; NAmE NAmE//ədˈvænst//
-ing form advancing BrE BrE//ədˈvɑːnsɪŋ//; NAmE NAmE//ədˈvænsɪŋ//
Check pronunciation: advance
