advance advance /ədˈvæns/

adjective

1. Situated ahead or going before  ( advance , advanced , in advance )
   situated ahead or going before
    An advance party
   an advance party
    At that time the most advanced outpost was still east of the Rockies
   at that time the most advanced outpost was still east of the Rockies
   
2. Being ahead of time or need  ( advance , beforehand )
   being ahead of time or need
    Gave advance warning
   gave advance warning
    Was beforehand with her report
   was beforehand with her report
   

noun

1. () A movement forward  ( progression , progress , advance )
   a movement forward
    He listened for the progress of the troops
   he listened for the progress of the troops
   
2. () A change for the better; progress in development  ( betterment , advance , improvement )
   a change for the better; progress in development
     The army made a strategic advance towards enemy territory.
   The army made a strategic advance towards enemy territory.
   
3. () The act of moving forward (as toward a goal)  ( advancement , forward motion , onward motion , advance , procession , progress , progression )
   the act of moving forward (as toward a goal)
     The students made significant progress in their studies.
   The students made significant progress in their studies.
   
4. () A tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others  ( approach , feeler , advance , overture )
   a tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others
    She rejected his advances
   she rejected his advances
   
5. Increase in price or value  ( advance , rise )
   increase in price or value
    The news caused a general advance on the stock market
   the news caused a general advance on the stock market
   
6. An amount paid before it is earned  ( advance , cash advance )
   an amount paid before it is earned
   

verb

1. () Move forward, also in the metaphorical sense  ( pass on , march on , progress , advance , go on , move on )
   move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
    Time marches on
   Time marches on
   
2. () Bring forward for consideration or acceptance  ( throw out , advance )
   bring forward for consideration or acceptance
    Advance an argument
   advance an argument
   
3. () Increase or raise  ( supercharge , boost , advance )
   increase or raise
    Boost the voltage in an electrical circuit
   boost the voltage in an electrical circuit
   
4. () Cause to move forward  ( bring forward , advance )
   cause to move forward
    Can you move the car seat forward?
   Can you move the car seat forward?
   
5. () Contribute to the progress or growth of  ( boost , further , advance , encourage , promote )
   contribute to the progress or growth of
    I am promoting the use of computers in the classroom
   I am promoting the use of computers in the classroom
   
6. () Obtain advantages, such as points, etc.  ( gain ground , make headway , pull ahead , advance , gain , get ahead , win )
   obtain advantages, such as points, etc.
    The home team was gaining ground
   The home team was gaining ground
    After defeating the Knicks, the Blazers pulled ahead of the Lakers in the battle for the number-one playoff berth in the Western Conference
   After defeating the Knicks, the Blazers pulled ahead of the Lakers in the battle for the number-one playoff berth in the Western Conference
    Win points
   win points
   
7. () Develop in a positive way  ( get along , shape up , get on , advance , come along , come on , progress )
   develop in a positive way
    He progressed well in school
   He progressed well in school
    My plants are coming along
   My plants are coming along
    Plans are shaping up
   Plans are shaping up
   
8. () Develop further  ( advance )
   develop further
    We are advancing technology every day
   We are advancing technology every day
   
9. Rise in rate or price  ( advance , gain )
   rise in rate or price
    The stock market gained 24 points today
   The stock market gained 24 points today
   
10. Move forward  ( advance , set ahead )
    move forward
     We have to advance clocks and watches when we travel eastward
    we have to advance clocks and watches when we travel eastward
    
11. Pay in advance  ( advance )
    pay in advance
     Can you advance me some money?
    Can you advance me some money?
    
12. Give a promotion to or assign to a higher position  ( advance , kick upstairs , raise , elevate , promote , upgrade )
    give a promotion to or assign to a higher position
     John was kicked upstairs when a replacement was hired
    John was kicked upstairs when a replacement was hired
     Women tend not to advance in the major law firms
    Women tend not to advance in the major law firms
     I got promoted after many years of hard work
    I got promoted after many years of hard work