advance
gb/ədvˈæns/ us/ədvˈæns/
B1
English
~ 2700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Move forward or make progress
To go forward or make progress.
Usage pattern:
to advance [toward/into/on] [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'advance' with 'improve'; while related, 'advance' can mean physical movement forward, not only improvement.
Synonyms
progress (Focuses more on improvement or development, not just physical movement.)
Antonyms
retreat (Means to move back or withdraw, the opposite of advancing.)
Collocations
advance toward
|advance into
|advance steadily
|advance rapidly
|advance on
Themes
movement
|progress
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|space
Examples
- The army advanced toward the enemy camp.
- Technology has advanced rapidly over the last decade.
- She advanced to the next round of the competition.
- We slowly advanced through the crowded street.
Learner examples
- The soldiers advanced toward the city.
- Our team advanced to the finals.
- He advanced to the front of the line.
Verb
B2
action
2
Cause to happen sooner
To make something happen earlier than planned.
Usage pattern:
to advance [a meeting/date/event]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'advance' here with 'promote' in a career context; this sense is about time changes, not job positions.
Synonyms
bring forward (Common in British English for rescheduling earlier.)
Antonyms
postpone (Means to delay something to a later time.)
Collocations
advance a meeting
|advance a deadline
|advance a date
Themes
time
|planning
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They decided to advance the meeting by two days.
- The launch date was advanced to meet market demand.
- We had to advance our departure because of bad weather.
Learner examples
- The school advanced the test to Monday.
- They advanced the meeting to this week.
- We advanced our trip because of the storm.
Verb
B2
action
3
Give money before payment is due
To give someone money before they should get it.
Usage pattern:
to advance [someone] [money/payment]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'pay in advance', which refers to paying upfront for goods/services rather than lending early.
Synonyms
prepay (Means paying in advance, but not necessarily lending.)
Antonyms
withhold payment (Refusing to pay until it is due or required.)
Collocations
advance a loan
|advance payment
|advance wages
Themes
finance
|business
Examples
- The company advanced him $500 for travel expenses.
- Can you advance me my wages until Friday?
- They advanced the funds needed for the project.
Learner examples
- My boss advanced me my pay.
- The bank advanced them a loan.
- She advanced him money for the trip.
Verb
formal
C1
action
4
Put forward an idea or plan
To suggest an idea for people to think about.
Usage pattern:
to advance [an idea/argument/theory]
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse 'advance' with 'improve' here; in this sense it means 'propose'.
Synonyms
propose (More common and slightly less formal than 'advance' in this sense.)
Antonyms
reject (Means to refuse to accept an idea or proposal.)
Collocations
advance a proposal
|advance an argument
|advance a theory
Themes
communication
|discussion
|education
Examples
- Several theories have been advanced to explain climate change.
- She advanced a new plan for improving public transport.
- He advanced the argument that education should be free.
Learner examples
- He advanced a new idea.
- They advanced a plan for the park.
- She advanced a theory about the stars.
Noun
B1
event
5
Forward movement or progress
Moving forward or making progress toward something.
Synonyms
progress (A general term for improvement over time; 'advance' can be more specific or measurable.)
Antonyms
setback (An event that reverses progress.)
Collocations
make an advance
|rapid advance
|technological advance
Themes
movement
|progress
|core_vocabulary
|space
Examples
- The army's advance was slowed by bad weather.
- There have been major advances in medicine recently.
- Her career advance surprised everyone.
Learner examples
- The army made an advance on the city.
- We saw many advances in technology.
- His quick advance at work was amazing.
Noun
B1
entity
6
Money paid before due date
Money given before it is owed or earned.
Synonyms
prepayment (Payment made ahead of time; 'advance' can also imply lending.)
Antonyms
arrears (Money that is owed and should have been paid earlier.)
Collocations
cash advance
|salary advance
|advance payment
Themes
finance
|business
Examples
- She received an advance on her salary.
- The publisher gave him a large advance for his new book.
- We need a 20% advance before starting the work.
Learner examples
- I got an advance from my boss.
- They paid an advance for the car.
- The writer got an advance for his book.
Grammar
Dictionary form
advance
IPA
GB/ədvˈæns/
US/ədvˈæns/
Syllables & stress
ad - vance (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (vance)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: advance
- Plural: advances
Verb
- Base: advance
- 3rd Person Singular: advances
- Present Participle: advancing
- Past: advanced
Word family
Forms
Related words
advancement
noun B2
Expressions
advance notice
1/ədvˈæns nˈoʊtɪs/
fixed phrase
Warning given beforehand about change/event
Information given before something happens so you can prepare.
Examples
- We need at least 24 hours' advance notice if you cancel your booking.
- The company gave employees advance notice of the changes.
cash advance
1/kˈæʃ ədvˈæns/
fixed phrase
Money taken early from credit account
Money you get early from your credit card account, often with extra fees.
Examples
- I took out a cash advance on my credit card while traveling.
- Cash advances usually have higher interest rates.
make advances (towards someone)
1/mˈeɪk ədvˈænsɪz təwˈɔɹdz sˈʌmwˌʌn/
idiom
Show romantic/sexual interest in someone
To act in a way that shows you like someone romantically or sexually.
Examples
- He was accused of making unwanted advances toward his coworker.
- She rejected his advances politely.
in advance
1/ˈɪn ədvˈæns/
fixed phrase
before something happens
Before something happens or before you need it.
Examples
- You must pay for your ticket in advance.
- Please book your tickets in advance.
- We booked our hotel room well in advance.
- You should let me know in advance if you can't come.