advertise

verb

USAD-vur-tyz/ˈædvɚtaɪz/UKAD-vuh-tyz/ˈadvə(ɹ)taɪz/

Formsadvertises, advertising, advertised

5 meanings of advertise

1
verbtransitive
To tell the public about a product or service so more people will buy it.
Like putting up a sign so everyone walking by knows what you are selling.
Local bakeries advertise their fresh bread on social media.
The company advertised its new phone with a big TV campaign.
Similarpromote, market, publicize
2
verbintransitive
To share information about someone or something so you can change what other people think or do.
Like calling out in a busy market so people notice you.
Small businesses must advertise to stay competitive.
She advertised in the local paper to find new clients.
Note
3
verbtransitive
To tell people about something by announcing it in public.
Like posting a notice on a board so everyone can read it.
The city advertised the road closures a week in advance.
They advertise job openings on the company website.
Similarpublicize, announce, promote
Note
4
verbtransitive
In card games, to throw away a card you actually want, to trick the other player.
Like pretending you don't want a toy so someone hands it to you.
He advertised the king of hearts, hoping his opponent would let it go.
Good players advertise a card now and then to bait a discard.
Note

Less common meaning

5
verbarchaictransitive
To tell someone about something so they take notice of it.
Like tapping someone on the shoulder to point something out.
Please advertise me of any changes to the schedule.
The steward advertised the guests of the coming danger.
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of advertise apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from an old French word meaning "to warn or inform," and probably got its ending from the word "advertisement."