promote
gb/pɹəmˈoʊt/ us/pɹəmˈoʊt/
B1
English
~ 1600
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Advertise or publicize something
To tell people about something so they will like it, buy it, or use it.
Usage pattern:
to promote [a product/service/event]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'promote' with 'support' in the sense of agreeing with an idea; while related, here it specifically means to advertise or publicize.
Synonyms
advertise (Focuses on paid promotion through media channels)
Antonyms
ignore (To pay no attention and give no publicity)
Collocations
promote a product
|promote a brand
|promote an event
|promote sales
|promote awareness
Themes
business
|media
|marketing
|communication
Examples
- The company hired a celebrity to promote its new line of shoes.
- Social media is a powerful tool to promote local businesses.
- They launched a campaign to promote healthy eating among teenagers.
Learner examples
- I want to promote my new book online.
- She promotes her shop on social media.
- We promote our events with posters.
Verb
B1
action
2
Give someone a higher job position
To give someone a more important job in a company or organization.
Usage pattern:
to promote [someone] to [a position]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'promote' with 'recommend'; here it specifically means giving a higher position.
Synonyms
advance (Often used for career progress in general, not only formal changes)
Antonyms
demote (To move someone to a lower position)
Collocations
promote an employee
|promote to manager
|promote internally
Themes
business
|workplace
|work
Examples
- She was promoted to senior manager after five years with the company.
- The army promoted him to the rank of captain.
- Hard work and dedication can help you get promoted quickly.
Learner examples
- My boss promoted me to team leader.
- He was promoted to manager last year.
- They promoted her because she worked hard.
Verb
B2
action
3
Encourage growth or development
To help something grow, develop, or become successful.
Usage pattern:
to promote [growth/development/change]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with advertising; here it means encouraging development without necessarily publicizing.
Synonyms
foster (Implies ongoing care and encouragement)
Antonyms
hinder (To make progress slower or more difficult)
Collocations
promote growth
|promote understanding
|promote cooperation
Themes
education
|health
|business
|core_vocabulary
|work
Examples
- The charity works to promote literacy among children.
- Good communication promotes healthy relationships.
- Exercise can promote better sleep.
Learner examples
- Reading promotes learning.
- This group promotes peace in the world.
- Exercise promotes good health.
Verb
B2
action
4
Move team to higher league
In sports, to put a team in a better league because they played well.
Usage pattern:
to promote [a team] to [a division/league]
Synonyms
elevate (Less common in sports context but similar meaning)
Antonyms
relegate (To move a team down to a lower division)
Collocations
promote a team
|promoted to the Premier League
Themes
sports
Examples
- The club was promoted to the top division after winning the championship.
- They hope to be promoted back to the Premier League next season.
- Three teams are promoted each year.
Learner examples
- Our team was promoted last year.
- They were promoted to the top league.
- The coach wants to promote the team next season.
Grammar
Dictionary form
promote
IPA
GB/pɹəmˈoʊt/
US/pɹəmˈoʊt/
Syllables & stress
pro - mote (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mote)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: promote
- 3rd Person Singular: promotes
- Present Participle: promoting
- Past: promoted
Word family
Forms
promotes
verb
promoting
verb
promoted
verb
Core family
promotion
noun B1
promotional
adjective B2
Related words
promoter
noun B2
Advanced or less common
promotable
adjective C1
Expressions
promote from within
1/pɹəmˈoʊt fɹˈʌm wɪðˈɪn/
fixed phrase
Fill role with current employee
To give a higher job to someone who already works in the company.
Examples
- The company prefers to promote from within rather than hire outsiders.
- Promoting from within can improve staff loyalty.
promote peace
1/pɹəmˈoʊt pˈis/
fixed phrase
Encourage peaceful relations
To help people or countries live without fighting.
Examples
- The organization works worldwide to promote peace.
- Education is key if we want to promote peace.
self-promote
1/sˈɛlf pɹəmˈoʊt/
fixed phrase
Advertise yourself or skills
To tell people about your skills and successes so they will notice you.
Examples
- He used social media to self-promote and find new clients.
- Some people think she self-promotes too much at work.