advance
advance
/ədˈvɑːns/
development
We live in an age of rapid technological advance.
advance in something Recent advances in technology have made the procedure safe.
recent advances in medical science
major advances in the field of physics
advance on something an advance on the existing techniques
advance towards something an advance towards a better understanding of God
Collocations
adjective
verb + advance
preposition
advance in
advance on
advance towards/toward
forward movement
2 countable advance (on something) the forward movement of a group of people, especially armed forces We feared that an advance on the capital would soon follow.
enemy advances
Collocations
adjective
verb + advance
preposition
advance on
advance to
advance towards/toward
money
They offered an advance of £5 000 after the signing of the contract.
The bank will give you an advance of 95% of the purchase price.
advance on something She asked for an advance on her salary.
Collocations
adjective
verb + advance
preposition
advance of
advance on
sexual
4 advances plural attempts to start a sexual relationship with somebody He had made advances to one of his students.
She rejected his sexual advances.
Collocations
adjective
verb + advances
preposition
advance to
price increase
5 countable advance (on something) (business) an increase in the price or value of something Share prices showed significant advances.
Idioms
advance
/ədˈvɑːns/
develop
Technology is advancing at an incredibly rapid pace.
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.
Collocations
adverb
preposition
move forward
2 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.
Collocations
adverb
preposition
from
in
to
on
help to succeed
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 The article advances a new theory to explain changes in the climate.
to advance an argument/agenda
This proposal has frequently been advanced as a possible solution.
make earlier
6 transitive advance something (formal) to change the time or date of an event so that it takes place earlier The date of the trial has been advanced by one week.
move forward
7 intransitive, transitive (formal) to move forward to a later part of something; to move something forward to a later part + adv./prep. These players will now advance to the next round.
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.
increase
8 intransitive (business) (of prices, costs, etc.) to increase in price or amount Oil shares advanced amid economic recovery hopes.
advance
/ədˈvɑːns/
1 done or given before something is going to happen
Please give us advance warning of any changes.
We need advance notice of the numbers involved.
No advance booking is necessary on most departures.
2 advance party/team a group of people who go somewhere first, before the main group
The advance party for a winter ascent of Mount Everest has arrived in Nepal.
Word Origin
Middle 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.