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 orof ).

   His height gave him an advantage over his opponent.

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

   their advantage in experienced players.

5. Tennis.,  the first point scored after deuce.

verb (used with object)

advantaged, advantaging 

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. 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. 1. to make good use of

   2. to impose upon the weakness, good nature, etc, of; abuse

   3. to seduce

5. to good effect

   he used his height to advantage at the game

6. 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. to advantage, to good effect; advantageously.

   The paintings were arranged to advantage on one wall.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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

Example Sentences

Rayner heavily leaned into that role and tried to use it to her party's advantage in the years before Labour's general election win in 2024.

From BBC

They drop a second straight game to the Pittsburgh Pirates to suffer their fourth defeat in the last five games and are unable to take advantage of the San Diego Padres’ own slump.

From Los Angeles Times

Caleb Williams gives Chicago a fresh spark, and the Bears get the advantage at home.

From Los Angeles Times

"There's a lot of transferable skills from both sides - that's a huge advantage here," she added.

From BBC

De Minaur, a tireless defensive player, wrestled the break back but Auger-Aliassime regained his advantage in the next game before closing out the set.

From BBC

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.