advertise
gb/ˈædvɚtˌaɪz/ us/ˈædvɚtˌaɪz/
B1
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Promote something to the public
To tell many people about a product, service, or event so they will want it.
Usage pattern:
to advertise [a product/service/event]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'advertise' with 'advise'. 'Advertise' means to promote; 'advise' means to give advice.
Synonyms
promote (Often broader, can include non-commercial contexts such as promoting ideas or causes.)
Antonyms
conceal (To keep something hidden rather than making it known to the public.)
Collocations
advertise online
|advertise widely
|advertise a product
|advertise on television
|advertise in a magazine
Themes
business
|media
|marketing
|communication
Examples
- The company plans to advertise its new smartphone on social media.
- They advertised the concert on the radio for weeks.
- Local shops often advertise in the community newspaper.
- We need to advertise our services more effectively.
- The festival was advertised all over town.
Learner examples
- The store will advertise a big sale.
- They advertise their food on TV.
- He wants to advertise his new app.
- We advertise the event online.
Verb
B1
action
2
Make something publicly known
To tell many people about something so they know about it.
Usage pattern:
to advertise [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'advertise' always involves selling something; here it can be about sharing information or requests.
Synonyms
announce (More formal and often used for official statements; may not involve persuasion.)
Antonyms
hide (To keep information from being seen or known.)
Collocations
advertise for help
|advertise an opening
|advertise a position
Themes
communication
|publicity
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The school advertised the opening for a new teacher.
- They advertised for volunteers to help with the cleanup.
- Our group advertised the meeting date on the notice board.
Learner examples
- The club advertised for new members.
- She advertised for a roommate.
- They advertised the lost dog in the paper.
Grammar
Dictionary form
advertise
IPA
GB/ˈædvɚtˌaɪz/
US/ˈædvɚtˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
ad - vert - ise (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ad)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: advertise
- 3rd Person Singular: advertises
- Present Participle: advertising
- Past: advertised
Word family
Forms
advertises
verb
advertising
verb
advertised
verb
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
unadvertised
adjective
Advanced or less common
advertorial
noun
Expressions
advertise for
1/ˈædvɚtˌaɪz fɚ/
phrasal verb
Request something publicly
To say in a public place or media that you need something or someone.
Examples
- They advertised for a new office manager in the local paper.
- We advertised for volunteers to help with the event.
false advertising
1/fˈɔls ˈædvɚtˌaɪzɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Misleading promotion claims
When an advertisement says something that is not true or is misleading.
Examples
- The company was fined for false advertising about its health benefits.
- False advertising can damage a brand's reputation.