advance
verb (transitive)
UKədˈvɑːnsUSədˈvæns
to move forward or make progress; to develop or improve something
Example Sentences
They decided to advance cautiously through the dense forest.
The research team hopes to advance the project by discovering more efficient solutions.
We must advance with care, as rushing through the process could cause critical errors.
She worked extra hours to advance her career and gain a management position.
The company offered to pay for his additional training to advance his skill set.
He was able to advance in the competition after an impressive performance in the qualifying round.
In a world where technology evolves rapidly, companies that continuously strive to advance their processes often outpace the competition by maintaining higher levels of efficiency and innovation.
Educators who seek to advance the quality of their teaching frequently experiment with new methods, collaborate with peers, and integrate modern tools to create more engaging, learner-centered environments.
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noun (countable)
UKədˈvɑːnsUSədˈvæns
a forward movement or development; an improvement or progress in something; money paid or received beforehand
Example Sentences
The laboratory’s latest advance in genetic research gained international recognition.
They requested an advance on their wages to cover unexpected medical bills.
The team’s steady advance through the tournament impressed both fans and critics.
Many scientists are celebrating the recent advance in renewable energy technology.
Despite initial setbacks, each small advance brought them closer to their ultimate goal.
His advance in skill level was evident, as he could now solve problems twice as fast as before.
Thanks to a remarkable advance in data analytics software, the company can predict market trends far more accurately, allowing it to adapt strategies ahead of potential challenges and secure higher profit margins.
While some fields evolve slowly over time, an unexpected advance can revolutionize an entire industry overnight, reshaping the methods, tools, and possibilities available to professionals worldwide.
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How to Use
Moving forward or making progress toward a goal or higher level.Use “advance” to indicate forward motion, progress, or improvement in diverse contexts. In professional settings, it can describe pushing a project to the next phase or requesting funds ahead of time (e.g., an advance on a paycheck). In academic work, it may highlight new findings that develop or expand a field of study. In everyday speech, “advance” emphasizes stepping forward in a process or making headway, such as saying, “Let’s advance this discussion to the next point.” Whether used as a verb (to move forward or further develop) or as a noun (an upfront payment or a forward step), context is key to clarity. When you refer to personal, financial, or career progress, “advance” underscores purposeful steps taken to reach a new stage or to improve upon a current situation. Adapting your usage based on the audience—formal, academic, or casual—ensures that the intent behind “advance” remains clear and meaningful. Ultimately, “advance” signifies proactive momentum, be it material, conceptual, or strategic, making it a versatile term across multiple domains and styles of communication.
Alternatives
Synonyms and related expressions for “advance” include “progress,” “move forward,” “further,” and “promote.” Each carries nuanced meanings that can help you tailor your language precisely. “Progress” places emphasis on steady development toward a defined goal, while “move forward” highlights the physical or metaphorical act of stepping ahead. “Further” indicates extending or continuing a particular direction, and “promote” conveys actively boosting or championing an initiative. You might also opt for “proceed” or “push ahead” if you want to underscore a sense of ongoing effort. Meanwhile, “improve” centers on elevating quality or performance, tying the notion of forward movement to betterment. Phrases like “forge ahead” are especially suited to contexts that require persistence or resilience, and “pioneer” captures the spirit of exploring novel ground. Whether you’re discussing personal growth, societal initiatives, or innovative solutions, selecting the most fitting term hinges on audience, tone, and specificity. By carefully weighing these alternatives, you can effectively communicate forward momentum, improvement, or strategic action in both casual and formal writing.
Writing
When incorporating the term “advance” in your writing, clarity and context are crucial. If you aim to emphasize progress in an academic paper, for example, you might write, “This study aims to advance our understanding of environmental science.” That phrasing highlights the intention to broaden existing knowledge. In a project proposal, stating, “We plan to advance to the next phase once initial tests are complete,” makes the progression clear and orderly. As a noun, “an advance” can also describe an upfront payment: “They provided an advance to cover initial research costs.” In each case, detail how or why you’re moving forward—be it an improvement to a method, the expansion of a theoretical framework, or a new stage in planning. Maintaining consistency in how you use “advance” throughout your work underscores the notion of positive progression. Additionally, the active voice can help demonstrate the forward motion inherent in the term. By linking “advance” to concrete evidence or planned steps, you help your audience grasp the significance of each move forward, making the writing both coherent and impactful.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “advance” can highlight your intent to move forward or make progress, whether you’re talking about personal projects, group plans, or self-improvement goals. For example, saying, “I’d like to advance my cooking skills before the holidays,” suggests you want to improve in a purposeful way. If a friend is stalling on making a decision, you might say, “Let’s advance this conversation to the next step,” signaling the need to press on. When it comes to finances, you could mention getting “an advance” on your paycheck to cover bills earlier than usual. While it’s a straightforward term, it can sound more formal than everyday phrases like “move forward” or “get ahead.” Still, it’s easy to slip into casual speech by pairing it with relaxed language, such as “We gotta advance this trip planning before it’s too late.” This way, “advance” feels natural in friendly discussions without losing its sense of forward momentum. Using the term in casual contexts conveys a certain readiness to take the next step, encouraging smooth collaboration and personal progress in day-to-day life.
Etymology
The word “advance” originates from the Old French “avancer,” itself derived from “avant,” meaning “before” or “forward,” which can be traced back to Latin roots of “ab ante,” essentially “from before.” Initially, it conveyed the idea of pushing or moving forward, extending its application over time to encompass financial, social, and conceptual progress. Historically, “advance” reflected status changes in social hierarchies, such as moving up a rank or position. In modern contexts, it remains closely associated with growth, ranging from advancing technology to advancing a personal skill set. The military usage, where troops “advance” on a position, also highlights the term’s original sense of physical forward movement. Over centuries, “advance” has retained its core meaning of stepping ahead, evolving with cultural and linguistic shifts to fit contemporary applications like project advancements, career growth, or early payments. Its rich heritage underscores a universal human desire for improvement, discovery, and pushing beyond existing boundaries.
