Advantage
/ədˈvæn.tɪdʒ/noun
A condition or circumstance that puts one in a better position than another.
Did you know?Advantage entered English through a chain that originally meant a physical or strategic “being in front,” and its deeper roots are tied to the same ancient source as *anticipate* and *antique*.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ant-
“front, forehead, before”
Latin
Latin
ante
“before, in front of”
Late Latin
Latin
avantagium
“advantage, profit; a favorable position”
Old French
Old French
avantage
“advantage, benefit, superiority”
Middle English
English
avantage
“advantage, benefit, gain”
Modern English
English
advantage
“a condition or circumstance that puts one in a better position than another”
Explore more surprising origins