advantageous
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of advantageous
First recorded in 1590–1600; advantage + -ous; compare French avantageux, Italian avantaggioso
Explanation
The adjective advantageous is useful for talking about things that are beneficial, or helpful, like when you find an advantageous spot to hang your yard sale sign — a spot where all the passing cars can see it. Anything that creates an advantage is advantageous. You could describe your decision to throw a huge party as advantageous for your social life, or the cooking class you took as advantageous to the success of your catering business. If it helps you get what you want, or is generally useful, it's advantageous. The root is the Old French word avantage, which means "advantage, profit, or superiority." Anything that assists in your pursuit of these things is advantageous to you.
Vocabulary lists containing advantageous
Evolutionary Biology - Adaptation
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List 7
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"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 10
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A swap for cost basis planning looks even more advantageous when considering onerous tax rules for trust assets.
From Barron's • May 16, 2026
"This new species, Cimolodon desosai, was ancestral to the species that survived the extinction event. It and its descendants were relatively small and omnivorous -- two traits that were advantageous for surviving."
From Science Daily • Apr. 27, 2026
“To add another hour and a half to the drive is not advantageous if you’re trying to campaign in every corner of the city.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026
The Epstein file emails suggest that Band sought Maxwell's help in brokering connections advantageous to the Clinton Global Initiative.
From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026
Any thinking person is aware of this paradox; but in dealing with conventional people it is advantageous to treat them as though they were not hypocrites.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
