Meaning of advance In English

• 0 to go or move something forward, or to develop or improve something:

  • The fire advanced steadily through the forest.

  • The troops advanced on the city (= approached it, ready to attack).

  • We have advanced greatly in our knowledge of the universe.

  • Her study has considerably advanced (= helped) the cause of equal rights.

  • He's just trying to advance (= improve) his own career.

• 1 to pay someone some money before the regular time:

  • [ + two objects ] Could you advance me £500 until Tuesday?

• 2 to suggest an idea or theory:

  • the theory advanced in this article

• 3 If something such as a share price advances, it increases in value:

  • On the New York Stock Exchange 1,228 issues advanced and 1,157 declined .

• 4 the forward movement of something, or an improvement or development in something:

  • Nothing could stop the advance of the floodwaters.

  • Recent advances in medical science mean that this illness can now be cured.

• 5 money paid to someone before the regular time:

  • She asked for a £300 advance on her salary.

• 6 an attempt to start a sexual or romantic relationship with someone:

  • She rejected his unwelcome advances.

• 7 something such as a share price that increases in value:

  • Declining stocks easily defeated advances 413 to 302.

• 8 happening, done, or ready before an event:

  • advance payment/booking

  • We got no advance warning/notice of the changes.

• 9 to go or move something forward, or to develop or improve something:

  • [ T ] Research has advanced our understanding of the virus.

  • [ I ] Tonight’s winner advances to the semifinals.

• 10 happening before an event:

  • We got no advance warning of the changes.

• 11 money paid before something happens:

  • Most authors get an advance on royalties they’ll earn later.

• 12 an act of moving something forward or improving something:

  • [ C ] Technological advances have changed TV news.

  • [ U ] The army’s advance was halted.

  • [ C ] fig. She rejected his unwelcome advances (= attempts to make her interested in him).

• 13 an improvement relating to a particular activity or area of knowledge:

  • Doctors believe that the findings represent a major advance in treating heart disease.

  • The government's White Paper embodies the hopes of those who believe in the advance of the digital age.

  • technological/medical/economic advances What has been the impact of technological advances on the securities markets?

  • advances in sth Advances in drilling and production technologies have significantly reduced the risk of a major oil spill.

• 14 money that is paid to a person or organization before the usual time or before a piece of work is finished:

  • Loans and advances usually represent the single largest asset of most banks.

  • Publishers generally pay an advance once the author finishes the manuscript.

  • The US singer will receive a $17.5m cash advance on signing the 10-year contract.

• 15 an increase in the price or value of something such as a share or a currency:

  • Declining stocks easily defeated advances 413 to 302.

  • advance in sth Every one yen advance in the Japanese currency's value against the dollar could reduce current profits by as much as five billion yen.

• 16 before something else happens or is done:

  • Ticket prices are cheaper if bought in advance.

  • Rating agencies issued statements of the city's financial condition in advance of this week's sale of $500 million in bonds.

• 17 to develop and become successful, or to make something do this:

  • Biotechnology continues to advance at a rapid pace.

  • advance to sth She eventually advanced to vice-chairman of the bank.

  • advance your career/interests/position Some employees decide to study for an MBA in order to advance their careers.

• 18 to increase in value:

  • On the New York Stock Exchange 1,128 issues advanced and 1,057 declined .

  • advance 5.5 cents/8p/10.9 points, etc. The general stock index advanced 1.94 points, or 0.04%, to 5291.45.

  • advance against sth The dollar advanced against the Japanese yen.

• 19 to increase in number, amount, or value:

  • Overall, consumer prices are advancing at a modest rate.

  • Pre-tax profits advanced 10% to €252m.

• 20 to suggest a new idea or plan to a group of people:

  • Measures advanced by the General Assembly included reducing vehicle carbon-dioxide emissions.

  • advance a plan/proposal/theory Several proposals for reform were advanced by members of Congress.

• 21 to give someone money before the usual time or before a piece of work is finished:

  • advance sb sth Two weeks ago I hired him, and advanced him $10,000.

  • advance sth to sb Evidence shows that lenders are becoming more discriminating in advancing loans to borrowers.

• 22 to change the date or time of an event to an earlier one:

  • No plans were made to advance the board meeting.

• 23 done or made before something else happens:

  • Critics argue that advance planning would have little impact on final policy decisions.

  • advance knowledge/information Having advance information can be a powerful tool to negotiating a rate on a loan.

  • advance bookings/sales/subscriptions Advance sales are down by about 3%.

  • advance notice/warning Federal laws require companies to provide advance notice when laying off workers.

  • Russell has been offered an advance payment of $450,000 for her next novel.