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
   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 advantage to good effect

   he used his height to advantage at the game

6. you have the advantage of me
   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

Frankly, that’s a pretty big advantage over Apple’s stated 18 hours.

From TechCrunch

The company’s software, which it calls Orquestra, provides a way for companies to use algorithms that were originally designed to take advantage of the unique properties of quantum computers.

From Fortune

Google will back up your device to the cloud regularly and for free, so make sure you’re taking advantage of it.

From Popular-Science

This would give J&J’s vaccine an advantage over other leading candidates, which are all being tested with a two-dose protocol.

From Fortune

That controversial shoe, which critics said gave runners an unfair advantage, generated a lot of headlines for Nike and bolstered its reputation for innovation.

From Fortune

But medical experts say being able to take advantage of American health care almost certainly prolonged his life.

From The Daily Beast

In a remote location with little means for economic development, the Brogpas have cultivating this identity to their advantage.

From The Daily Beast

In the name of protecting passengers, however, tourists in Las Vegas are unable to take advantage of this service.

From The Daily Beast

In their effort to diversify their revenue, they have capitalized on traditional practices to new advantage.

From The Daily Beast

You also say that you think your condition gave you an advantage in some ways.

From The Daily Beast

If the "Y" Beach lot press their advantage they may cut off the enemy troops on the toe of the Peninsula.

From Project Gutenberg

But Polavieja started his campaign with the immense advantage of having the whole of the dry season before him.

From Project Gutenberg

It is, however, true, that in this respect the German hexametrist has a considerable advantage over the English.

From Project Gutenberg

By the second process, it is made to the advantage of the issuer of the notes to hasten their withdrawal himself.

From Project Gutenberg

If he continue, he shall leave a name above a thousand: and if he rest, it shall be to his advantage.

From Project Gutenberg

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.