Basic+ Word of the Day: advantage

advantage (noun)

The rabbit has the advantage in the race.

An advantage is a circumstance that is favorable to success.

• Richie's family was wealthy and he had every advantage when he was a boy.
• The advantage of a good education is infinite.

Advantage also means ‘benefit.’

• It will be to your advantage if you treat others fairly and with respect.

Did you know?

To take advantage of means ‘to make use of for gain.’ This has both a positive and negative sense. Positive example: “When Dan studied in Paris he took advantage of opportunities to speak French and learn about the culture.” Negative example: “Henry took advantage of his mother’s generosity to steal her money.”

In pop culture

Did you know that George Clooney’s aunt was a famous singer? Listen to Rosemary Clooney sing the jazz standard “You Took Advantage of Me.”

There are other meanings of advantage.