advantage
English meaning: Advantage
Definition
Any condition, circumstance, opportunity or means, particularly favorable to success, or to any desired end.
Example
“The enemy had the advantage of a more elevated position.”
Another example: “They took advantage of the good weather to finish the harvest early.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A favourable condition or benefit ('a competitive advantage', 'take advantage of'); also a scoring term in tennis. Neutral to formal. Note 'take advantage of' can mean to exploit unfairly or simply to use an opportunity.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old French 'avantage', from 'avant' 'before', from Latin 'ab ante'; 14th century.
Related Words
- disadvantage
- situation
- opportunities
- opportunity
- capabilities
- absence
- opponent
- faster
Common Collocations
- competitive advantage
- take advantage of
- unfair advantage
- clear advantage
- advantage over
Word Forms
advantage (n/v); advantages; advantageous (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B