advantage
Pluraladvantages
Verbadvantages, advantaging, advantaged
Pluraladvantages
Formsadvantages, advantaging, advantaged
- 1Something that helps you or puts you in a better position than others.
Like getting a head start in a race.
Speaking two languages is a real advantage when looking for a job.
Her height gave her an advantage in basketball.
UsageSay an advantage over others. Take advantage of means make good use of, or use someone unfairly.
- 2To give someone a better chance or a stronger position.
Like handing one team better tools before the game starts.
The new rules advantage larger teams.
Moving the test to Monday would advantage students who study on weekends.
UsageSay a rule advantages one group over another.
Oppositedisadvantage, handicap, hinder
- 3In tennis, the point a player wins right after deuce, leaving them one point from taking the game.
Like being one step from the finish line, where a single stumble sends you back.
She won the point after deuce, so she was at advantage.
He held advantage but lost the next point, sending the game back to deuce.
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Less common meanings
- 4In soccer, when the referee lets play continue after a foul because stopping would hurt the fouled team.
Like letting a runner keep going instead of stopping the race over a small bump.
The referee waved play on, giving advantage to the attacking team.
She signaled advantage instead of stopping the game for the foul.
UsageSay the referee plays advantage.
Note
- 5Power or control over another person.
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us.
1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, an advantage means power or the upper hand over someone.Note
- 6To use something for your own good, taking advantage of it.
No man of courage vouchsafeth to advantage himselfe [translating s'avantager] of that which is common unto many.
1603, Michel de Montaigne, The EssayesHere, advantage himselfe means to use something for his own good. - 7An extra amount added on, like interest on money or the thirteenth loaf in a baker's dozen.
And with advantage means to pay thy love.
c. 1596, William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Old French avantage, from avant meaning "before." The letter d was added later by mistake, when people wrongly thought the word came from Latin ad.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Advantage derives from Old French avantage. en.wiktionary.org
- Old French avantage derives from avant, meaning before. en.wiktionary.org
- The letter d was added through a mistaken association with Latin ad. en.wiktionary.org