advantage
uhd-VAHN-tihj
Advantage (noun) means something that puts you in a better or more favorable position than others. Example: “Being the tallest player gave him a clear advantage whenever the ball went up.”
noun
1
Something that puts you in a better or more favorable position than others.
"Being the tallest player gave him a clear advantage whenever the ball went up."
"Speaking three languages gave her a big advantage in the job market."
"Home-field advantage often boosts a team's confidence."
2
In tennis, the point scored right after deuce, needed to win the game.
"After deuce, the server won the advantage and was one point from victory."
"The umpire called advantage to the receiver, and the crowd grew louder."
"She won the advantage point and then closed out the set."
verb
1
To give someone or something a favorable edge.
"Cheaper train fares would advantage commuters who live far from the city centre."
"The scheme was designed to advantage local farmers rather than big importers."
"The new rules advantage smaller businesses over large corporations."
How to use advantage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA benefit or edge that puts you ahead of others.
Common mistake
Take advantage OF an opportunity (positive), but take advantage OF a person can mean exploiting them — context decides which sense applies.
Common pairings
take advantage of
to your advantage
competitive advantage
unfair advantage
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Word forms
- Plural
- advantages
- Third person singular
- advantages
- Past tense
- advantaged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Being the tallest player gave him a clear _____ whenever the ball went up.
Etymology
From Old French avantage, from avant meaning "before" — the same root that gives us "advance."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for advantage
See all rhymes for advantage →Frequently asked questions
What does “advantage” mean?
The word “advantage” means something that puts you in a better or more favorable position than others. In plain terms, a benefit or edge that puts you ahead of others.
How do you pronounce “advantage”?
“Advantage” is pronounced uhd-VAHN-tihj (/ədˈvɑːn.tɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “advantage” in a sentence?
Here is “advantage” used in a sentence: “Speaking three languages gave her a big advantage in the job market.”
What is another word for “advantage”?
Words with a similar meaning to “advantage” include favor, favorise and benefit.
What is the opposite of “advantage”?
The opposite of “advantage” — its antonyms — are disadvantage and drawback.
What part of speech is “advantage”?
Depending on how it is used, “advantage” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “advantage” come from?
The word “advantage” comes from Old French. From Old French avantage, from avant meaning "before" — the same root that gives us "advance.".
Is “advantage” a common word?
“Advantage” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between an advantage and a benefit?
A benefit is simply something helpful or good that you gain, like the benefit of fresh air. An advantage is a benefit that puts you ahead of others or of an alternative — it implies comparison or competition. Every advantage is a benefit, but not every benefit gives you an edge over someone else.
What does 'take advantage of' mean?
It has two senses. Positively, it means to make good use of an opportunity, as in 'take advantage of the sunshine.' Negatively, it means to exploit someone or something unfairly for your own gain. Context and tone tell you which meaning applies — one is smart, the other is selfish.
Why is having an advantage important?
An advantage improves your chances of success by putting you in a stronger position than rivals or than you'd otherwise be. In business, sport, or study, small advantages often decide outcomes. Recognising and using your advantages — and reducing your disadvantages — is central to competing and achieving goals effectively.
What is the opposite of advantage?
The main opposite is 'disadvantage' — something that puts you in a worse position. Related antonyms include 'drawback,' 'handicap,' and 'setback.' In sports and games, 'advantage' also has technical opposites set by the rules, but in everyday use 'disadvantage' is the natural counterpart.
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