advantage

[ ad-van-tij, -vahn- ]

noun

1. any state, circumstance, opportunity, or means specially favorable to success, interest, or any desired end:

   the advantage of a good education.

2. benefit; gain; profit:

   It will be to his advantage to learn Chinese before going to China.

3. superiority or ascendancy (often followed by over or of ):

   His height gave him an advantage over his opponent.

4. a position of superiority (often followed by over or of ):

   their advantage in experienced players.

5. Tennis. the first point scored after deuce.

verb (used with object)

, ad·van·taged, ad·van·taging.

1. to be of service to; yield profit or gain to; benefit.

   Synonyms: aid, help, avail, serve

2. to cause to advance; further; promote:

   Such action will advantage our cause.

3. to prove beneficial to; profit:

   It would advantage him to work harder.

advantage

/ ədˈvɑːntɪdʒ /

noun

1. often foll byover or of superior or more favourable position or power

   he had an advantage over me because of his experience

2. benefit or profit (esp in the phrase to one's advantage )
3. tennis
   1. the point scored after deuce
   2. the resulting state of the score
4. take advantage of
   1. to make good use of
   2. to impose upon the weakness, good nature, etc, of; abuse
   3. to seduce
5. to advantage
   to good effect

   he used his height to advantage at the game

6. you have the advantage of me
   you know me but I do not know you

Word History and Origins

Origin of advantage¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English ava(u)ntage, from Anglo-French, Old French avantage, equivalent to avant “before” + -age noun suffix; advance, -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of advantage¹

C14: avantage (later altered to advantage on the model of words beginning with Latin ad- ), from Old French avant before, from Latin abante from before, away. See advance

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. have the advantage of, to be in a superior or advantageous position; possess an advantage over:

   By virtue of independent wealth, he has the advantage of his opponents.

2. take advantage of,
   1. to make use of for gain:

      to take advantage of an opportunity.

   2. to impose upon, especially unfairly, as by exploiting a weakness:

      to take advantage of someone.

3. to advantage, to good effect; advantageously:

   The paintings were arranged to advantage on one wall.

More idioms and phrases containing advantage

see get the advantage of ; show to advantage ; take advantage of ; to advantage .

Example Sentences

These findings emphasize the importance of ancient DNA in reconstructing human history, demonstrating how traits that once conferred a survival advantage in early Europeans were rendered invisible in the genetic landscape of today.

From Science Daily

A particular advantage of the new technique is that it also works with chiral antiferromagnetic materials.

From Science Daily

Having a dedicated Center for Plastics Innovation at UD is a definite advantage, Vlachos said, because it brings a critical mass of people talking, thinking and working on these issues.

From Science Daily

Norris was eating away at the Dutchman’s advantage until Verstappen grabbed back the initiative in spectacular style with a stunning victory from 17th on the grid in a sodden Brazil earlier this month.

From BBC

“Google’s quality reflects the ill-gotten gains of an advantage illegally acquired,” the government said in a court filing.

From New York Times

Related Words

• benefit
• edge
• favor
• gain
• interest
• leverage
• position
• power
• preference
• profit
• protection
• recognition
• return
• superiority
• support
• upper hand

When To Use

What are other ways to say advantage?

An advantage is something that positions one well for accomplishing something. How is advantage different from benefit and profit? Find out on Thesaurus.com.