NYT Dictionary

ADVANTAGE

/ədˈvæn.tɪd͡ʒ/
NounVerbad-VAN-tagead-van-tage · 3 syllablesGrade 4

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2022, 2023, 2025

Meaning

Any condition, circumstance, opportunity or means, particularly favorable or chance to success, or to any desired end.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep Proto-Indo-European *-o Proto-Indo-European *h₂epó Proto-Italic *ap Latin ab Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₂énts Proto-Indo-European *-i Proto-Indo-European *h₂énti Proto-Italic *anti Latin ante Late Latin ab ante Old French avant Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos Proto-Italic *-ātos Latin -ātus Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icus Latin -āticus Latin -āticum Old French -age Old French avantagebor. Middle English avantage English advantage From Middle English avantage, avauntage, from Old French avantage, from avant (“before”), from Late Latin ab ante. The spelling with d originates in a latinizing hypercorrection, the a- being falsely supposed to be from Latin ad (see advance). For sense development, compare foredeal.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

edgevantageplusbenefitperkupsideproforedealadfavor

Antonyms

disadvantagedrawbackpenalty

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles, including a pangram:

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