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. □ [V n] Too much protein in the diet may advance the ageing process.
7 VERB If you advance a cause, interest, or claim, you support it and help to make it successful. □ [V n] When not producing art of his own, Oliver was busy advancing the work of others.
8 VERB [usu passive] When a theory or argument is advanced , it is put forward for discussion. □ [be V -ed] Many theories have been advanced as to why some women suffer from depression.
9 N‑VAR An advance is a forward movement of people or vehicles, usually as part of a military operation. □ [+ on ] …an advance on enemy positions.
10 N‑VAR 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.
11 N‑SING If something is an advance on what was previously available or done, it is better in some way. □ [+ on ] This could be an advance on the present situation.
12 ADJ [ADJ n] 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.
13 ADJ [ADJ n] 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.
14 PHRASE If one thing happens or is done in advance of another, it happens or is done before the other thing. □ I had asked everyone to submit questions in advance of the meeting.
15 PHRASE If you do something in advance , you do it before a particular date or event. □ The subject of the talk is announced a week in advance.
ad|vanced ◆◇◇ /ædvɑː nst, -væ nst/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An advanced system, method, or design is modern and has been developed from an earlier version of the same thing. □ Without more training or advanced technical skills, they'll lose their jobs.
2 ADJ A country that is advanced has reached a high level of industrial or technological development. □ …a technologically advanced society.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An advanced student has already learned the basic facts of a subject and is doing more difficult work. An advanced course of study is designed for such students. □ The course is suitable for beginners and advanced students.
4 ADJ Something that is at an advanced stage or level is at a late stage of development. □ 'Medicare' is available to victims of advanced kidney disease. SYNONYMS advanced ADJ 1
sophisticated: …a large and sophisticated new British telescope.
up-to-date: This is Germany's most up to date electric power station.
state-of-the-art: …the production of state-of-the-art military equipment.
latest: I got to drive the latest model.
ad|vance|ment /ædvɑː nsmənt, -væ ns-/ (advancements )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft adj N ] Advancement is progress in your job or in your social position. □ He cared little for social advancement.
2 N‑VAR The advancement of something is the process of helping it to progress or the result of its progress. □ [+ of ] …her work for the advancement of the status of women.
ad|van|tage ◆◆◇ /ædvɑː nt I dʒ, -væ n-/ (advantages )
1 N‑COUNT An advantage is something that puts you in a better position than other people. □ [+ over ] They are deliberately flouting the law in order to obtain an advantage over their competitors. □ [+ to ] A good crowd will be a definite advantage to me and the rest of the team.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Advantage is the state of being in a better position than others who are competing against you. □ Men have created a social and economic position of advantage for themselves over women.
3 N‑COUNT An advantage is a way in which one thing is better than another. □ [+ over ] This custom-built kitchen has many advantages over a standard one.
4 PHRASE If you take advantage of something, you make good use of it while you can. □ I intend to take full advantage of this trip to buy the things we need.
5 PHRASE If someone takes advantage of you, they treat you unfairly for their own benefit, especially when you are trying to be kind or to help them. □ He felt the church was taking advantage of her and pushing her to work too many hours.
6 PHRASE If you use or turn something to your advantage , you use it in order to benefit from it, especially when it might be expected to harm or damage you. □ The government have not been able to turn today's demonstration to their advantage. SYNONYMS advantage NOUN 3
benefit: I'm a great believer in the benefits of this form of therapy.
asset: Her leadership qualities were the greatest asset of the Conservative Party.
perk: One of the perks of being a student is cheap travel.
plus: Experience of any career in sales is a big plus.
ad|van|taged /ædvɑː nt I dʒd, -væ n-/ ADJ A person or place that is advantaged is in a better social or financial position than other people or places. □ Some cities are always going to be more advantaged.
ad|van|ta|geous /æ dvənte I dʒəs/ ADJ If something is advantageous to you, it is likely to benefit you. □ [+ to ] Free exchange of goods was advantageous to all.