Avances (en. Advances)

/a.vɑ̃s/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench
noun
Sums of money paid before the completion of a service.
The contractor requested advances before starting the work.
L'entrepreneur a demandé des avances avant de commencer les travaux.
Benefits or progress made in a given situation.
Advances in technology continue to astonish the world.
Les avances en technologie ne cessent d'étonner le monde.
verb
To act in order to bring about or provoke progress.
We must advance our project to meet the deadlines.
Nous devons avancer notre projet pour respecter les délais.

Etymology

From the verb 'avancer', meaning 'to move forward'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

to make advances
Trying to establish a romantic relationship or start an intimate conversation.
faire des avances
to get ahead
To be ahead of a schedule or a plan.
prendre de l'avance

Related Words

advance
Sum of money paid before the due date.
avance
advancer
Person who makes advances, particularly financial ones.
avanceur

Slang Meanings

Flirting with someone
He made advances to Julie at the party last night.
Il a fait des avances à Julie à la fête hier soir.
Insistent propositions
His advances were rather clumsy and unwelcome.
Ses avances étaient plutôt lourdes et malvenues.