# advantage

Pronunciation: US say "uhd-VAN-tij" /ədˈvæn.(t)ɪd͡ʒ/; UK say "uhd-VAHN-tij" /ədˈvɑːn.tɪd͡ʒ/

## Noun

1. A condition, circumstance, or benefit that puts someone in a better or superior position, or improves their chance of success.
   - Simple: Something that helps you or puts you in a better position than others.
   - _Knowing the local customs gave the travelers a clear advantage._
   - _A larger budget is an obvious advantage in a tight election._
3. In tennis, the scoring state after deuce in which a player who wins one point needs only the next point to take the game.
   - Simple: In tennis, the point a player wins right after deuce, leaving them one point from taking the game.
   - _After several deuces, the server finally earned advantage and closed out the game._
   - _Losing the rally at advantage forced them back to deuce once again._
4. In soccer, the referee's decision to let play continue after a foul, because halting it would penalize the team that was fouled.
   - Simple: In soccer, when the referee lets play continue after a foul because stopping would hurt the fouled team.
   - _The official played advantage, and the striker scored seconds later._
   - _When the midfielder was tripped, the referee allowed advantage and the move continued._

## Verb

2. To give someone an edge or put them in a more favorable position.
   - Simple: To give someone a better chance or a stronger position.
   - _The early start time advantaged the home side._
   - _Tax breaks advantage wealthy investors over ordinary savers._

## Noun

5. Mastery or control over another person; the position of having got the better of someone. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: Power or control over another person.

## Other meanings

- (verb) To act for one's own benefit by making use of something; to take advantage of it.
- (noun) An extra amount given beyond the exact count, such as interest on money or the thirteenth loaf in a baker's dozen.

## Origin

From Middle English avantage, from Old French avantage, from avant ("before"), which comes from Late Latin ab ante. The spelling with d arose from a latinizing hypercorrection, since the a- was falsely supposed to derive from Latin ad.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/advantage (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).