advances

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of advance.

   Technological advances have transformed how we communicate.

   She received two advances from her publisher before the book was finished.

   Note

   One plural covers several different nouns: progress (great advances in science), forward moves by troops, sums paid before they are due, and overtures to a person. That last meaning lives mostly in the plural, as in he made advances to her, and now usually implies something unwelcome or sexual. A bare his advances therefore leans that way unless the sentence makes money or progress clear.

2. 2
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present of advance.

   The glacier advances a few inches each year.

   He advances a strong argument in every debate.

   Note

   Whether an object follows decides the meaning. With none, the subject itself moves forward, usually with a phrase of direction: the group advances up the road. With an object, something else is moved: a person is promoted, a cause is furthered, money is paid ahead of time, or a date is brought forward. The spelling is shared with the plural noun, and only the sentence frame tells them apart.

   The chair advances the meeting to Monday so the vote can happen sooner.

   The firm advances her a month's salary before she starts.

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