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advanced

uhd-VANST/ədˈvænst/uhd-VAHNST/ədˈvɑːnst/

7 meanings of advanced

Practice

  1. 1
    more complexadjective
    Involving greater complexity; more difficult, elaborate, or specialized than the basic level.

    The seminar covers advanced techniques that beginners rarely attempt.

    Her dissertation relied on advanced statistical methods few undergraduates ever encounter.

    UsageFor something done early, use advance: advance notice, advance booking (not incorrect: advanced notice).

    Similarsophisticated, complex, specialized, elaborate

    Oppositebasic, elementary, simple, introductory

    Note

    Here the difficulty belongs to the material, not the person: advanced settings, an advanced knitting course. It works hand in hand with the 'far along' meaning, which describes whoever has progressed, so an advanced learner takes an advanced course. In menus and course titles it stands opposite basic, marking what lies beyond the starting level.

  2. 2
    modernadjective
    At or close to the most modern level of development; representing the state of the art.

    The laboratory is fitted with advanced instruments found in few other facilities.

    Engineers designed an advanced cooling system to keep the data center stable.

    Similarsophisticated, cutting-edge, state-of-the-art, modern, high-tech

    Oppositeprimitive, outdated, obsolete, antiquated

  3. 3
    moved forwardverb
    Simple past and past participle of advance.

    Technology advanced rapidly during the twentieth century.

    The team advanced to the finals after a narrow win.

    Note

    One spelling does both jobs: the simple past (the troops advanced) and the participle after have or be. Because advance is used both with and without an object, only the transitive meanings make a passive. A loan, a date or a person in rank can be advanced. The intransitive meaning, moving forwards, takes have instead: the army has advanced.

  4. 4
    far alongadjective
    At a late point in a process of development or learning, having gone well beyond its beginnings.

    Advanced students may skip the opening chapters and start with the exercises.

    The cancer had reached an advanced stage before any symptoms appeared.

    UsageOften at an advanced stage (of an illness or a project), or of learners: an advanced student.

    Similarlate

    Oppositeearly

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    adjective
    Having been moved or having gone forward, whether in time or in space.

    Mechanics use advanced ignition timing to fire the spark earlier in the cycle.

    The battalion secured an advanced position well ahead of the main line.

    UsageFor age, the set phrases advanced in years and of advanced years are a polite way to say old.

    Similarforward

    Note

    Age is where most readers meet this sense, in the phrases advanced in years and of advanced years. Hawthorne describes "a gentleman advanced in years" in The Scarlet Letter (1850), and a magazine account of London's steam railway tells of "a lady of advanced years". The comparatives further advanced and farther advanced fit this sense of distance covered, whether in time or along a line.

  2. 6
    adjectivePhilippines
    Indicating a time ahead of the correct time, as with a clock that has been set or runs fast.

    The kitchen clock was a good ten minutes advanced, which explained why we kept reaching the bus stop with time to spare.

    She keeps her watch slightly advanced so that she never misses the start of her morning class.

    UsageMost English speakers say a clock is fast or ahead; for readers from elsewhere, those words are the safer choice.

    Similarfast, ahead

    Oppositeslow, behind

    Note

    A Philippine way of talking about clocks and watches. Where other varieties say a clock is fast or ahead, here it is advanced. Readers elsewhere may take "an advanced watch" to mean a state-of-the-art one.

  3. 7
    adjective
    Pronounced with the point of articulation farther toward the front of the vocal tract.

advanced is a form of advance

advance, verb: Of a person or team, to make progress and move up, as in a career, studies, a competition, or some other field. Full entry

Forms
advanceadvances he/she/itadvancing -ing formadvanced past tense, past participle
Spelling
advance → advanced: add -d
Sound
The ending sounds like /t/.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of advanced apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

Formed from the verb "advance" with the suffix "-ed".

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact