Advance vs. Enhance: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Advance" means to move forward or progress, while "enhance" means to improve the quality, value, or extent of something.
Key Differences
Advance implies a forward movement or progression in a physical, professional, or conceptual sense. Enhance focuses on improving or augmenting existing qualities, adding value without necessarily implying movement.
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Dec 07, 2023
Advance is often used in contexts of career development, technological progress, or physical movement. Enhance is commonly used in reference to improving features, qualities, or experiences, such as enhancing skills, images, or flavors.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 07, 2023
Advancement usually involves a significant change or step forward, like advancing to a new level. Enhancement implies a more refined or subtle improvement, like enhancing an existing skill or product.
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Dec 07, 2023
Advance can imply a strategic or planned movement towards a goal. Enhance suggests an action taken to add to or improve something already in place.
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Dec 07, 2023
The result of advancement is often a change in status or position, while the result of enhancement is an improvement in quality or effectiveness.
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Dec 07, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Typical Contexts
Career, technology, movement
Skills, experiences, qualities
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Action Nature
Strategic or planned movement
Adding to or improving something
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Advance and Enhance Definitions
Advance
A forward movement or progress in development.
The advance in technology has changed our lives.
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Dec 07, 2023
Enhance
To raise to a higher degree; intensify; magnify.
The spices enhanced the flavor of the dish.
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Dec 07, 2023
Advance
To put forward a proposal or suggestion.
He advanced a new theory in the meeting.
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Dec 07, 2023
Enhance
To make more attractive or enjoyable.
Landscaping enhanced the beauty of their yard.
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Dec 07, 2023
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Enhance
To improve or augment the quality, value, or strength of something.
Good lighting can greatly enhance a photograph.
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Dec 07, 2023
Advance
To put forward; propose or suggest
Advanced a novel theory during the seminar.
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Oct 19, 2023
Enhance
To increase or further improve the good qualities of.
Regular exercise enhances overall health.
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Dec 07, 2023
Enhance
To improve or augment, especially in effectiveness, value, or attractiveness
Exercises that enhance cardiovascular health.
Spices that enhance the flavor of a sauce.
Renovations that enhance the neighborhood.
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Oct 19, 2023
Enhance
(intransitive) To be raised up; to grow larger.
A debt enhances rapidly by compound interest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Enhance
(radiology) To take up contrast agent (for an organ, tissue, or lesion).
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
To serve as an advance person for (a trip to be made by a politician or a dignitary)
"advanced the China trip during which the first trade agreements ... were signed" (Suzanne Perney).
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Oct 19, 2023
Enhance
To raise or lift up; to exalt.
Who, naught aghast, his mighty hand enhanced.
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Oct 19, 2023
Enhance
To advance; to augment; to increase; to heighten; to make more costly or attractive; as, to enhance the price of commodities; to enhance beauty or kindness; hence, also, to render more heinous; to aggravate; as, to enhance crime.
The reputation of ferocity enhanced the value of their services, in making them feared as well as hated.
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Oct 19, 2023
Enhance
To be raised up; to grow larger; as, a debt enhances rapidly by compound interest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
To move against another, as when attacking
Advance on the enemy's position.
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Oct 19, 2023
Enhance
Make better or more attractive;
This sauce will enhance the flavor of the meat
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Oct 19, 2023
Enhance
To bring out the best in something.
Her leadership skills enhanced team performance.
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Dec 07, 2023
Advance
To serve as an advance person for a trip to be made by a politician or a dignitary.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
A forward move, as toward an objective; a progressive step
An advance in genetic engineering.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
Advances Opening approaches made to secure acquaintance, favor, or an agreement; overtures.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
Preparation, especially publicity, done prior to the appearance of a public figure or the staging of a public event.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
To make (something) happen at an earlier time or date; to bring forward, to hasten.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
To provide (money or other value) before it is due, or in expectation of some work; to lend.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
(intransitive) To move forward in time; to progress towards completion.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
A forward move; improvement or progression.
An advance in health or knowledge
An advance in rank or office
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
An amount of money or credit, especially given as a loan, or paid before it is due; an advancement.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
An addition to the price; rise in price or value.
An advance on the prime cost of goods
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
(in the plural) An opening approach or overture, now especially of an unwelcome or sexual nature.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
Completed before necessary or a milestone event.
He made an advance payment on the prior shipment to show good faith.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
To bring forward; to move towards the van or front; to make to go on.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
To raise to a higher rank; to promote.
Ahasueres . . . advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
To accelerate the growth or progress; to further; to forward; to help on; to aid; to heighten; as, to advance the ripening of fruit; to advance one's interests.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
To bring to view or notice; to offer or propose; to show; as, to advance an argument.
Some ne'er advance a judgment of their own.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
To furnish, as money or other value, before it becomes due, or in aid of an enterprise; to supply beforehand; as, a merchant advances money on a contract or on goods consigned to him.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
To raise to a higher point; to enhance; to raise in rate; as, to advance the price of goods.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
To increase or make progress in any respect; as, to advance in knowledge, in stature, in years, in price.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
To rise in rank, office, or consequence; to be preferred or promoted.
Advanced to a level with ancient peers.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
Improvement or progression, physically, mentally, morally, or socially; as, an advance in health, knowledge, or religion; an advance in rank or office.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
An addition to the price; rise in price or value; as, an advance on the prime cost of goods.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
The first step towards the attainment of a result; approach made to gain favor, to form an acquaintance, to adjust a difference, etc.; an overture; a tender; an offer; - usually in the plural.
[He] made the like advances to the dissenters.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
A furnishing of something before an equivalent is received (as money or goods), towards a capital or stock, or on loan; payment beforehand; the money or goods thus furnished; money or value supplied beforehand.
I shall, with pleasure, make the necessary advances.
The account was made up with intent to show what advances had been made.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
Before in place, or beforehand in time; - used for advanced; as, an advance guard, or that before the main guard or body of an army; advance payment, or that made before it is due; advance proofs, advance sheets, pages of a forthcoming volume, received in advance of the time of publication.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
A tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others;
She rejected his advances
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
Increase in price or value;
The news caused a general advance on the stock market
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
Contribute to the progress or growth of;
I am promoting the use of computers in the classroom
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
Obtain advantages, such as points, etc.;
The home team was gaining ground
After defeating the Knicks, the Blazers pulled ahead of the Lakers in the battle for the number-one playoff berth in the Western Conference
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
Develop in a positive way;
He progressed well in school
My plants are coming along
Plans are shaping up
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
Give a promotion to or assign to a higher position;
John was kicked upstairs when a replacement was hired
Women tend not to advance in the major law firms
I got promoted after many years of hard work
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
Move forward;
We have to advance clocks and watches when we travel eastward
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
Being ahead of time or need;
Gave advance warning
Was beforehand with her report
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
Situated ahead or going before;
An advance party
At that time the most advanced outpost was still east of the Rockies
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Oct 19, 2023
Advance
To move forward in a physical, social, or professional sense.
The army advanced towards the enemy lines.
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Dec 07, 2023
Advance
An amount of money paid before it is due.
She received an advance on her salary.
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Dec 07, 2023
Advance
Done, sent, or supplied beforehand.
He made an advance booking for the concert.
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Dec 07, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Does 'enhance' imply a complete change?
No, it usually implies improving something rather than changing it completely.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 07, 2023
Can 'advance' be used in a professional context?
Yes, it often refers to career progression or development.
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Dec 07, 2023
Can 'advance' be used as a noun and a verb?
Yes, it can be used in both forms with different meanings.
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Dec 07, 2023
What does 'advance' mean in a military context?
It means to move forward against an adversary.
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Dec 07, 2023
Can 'advance' refer to scientific progress?
Yes, as in advancing knowledge or research.
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Dec 07, 2023
Is an 'advance' always monetary?
Not always, it can refer to any forward movement.
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Dec 07, 2023
Is 'advance' used in financial terms?
Yes, it can refer to an advance payment or loan.
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Dec 07, 2023
Can 'enhance' be used in a technological context?
Yes, such as enhancing a software's features.
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Dec 07, 2023
Does 'advance' imply a forward movement only?
Primarily, though it can be metaphorical, like advancing ideas.
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Dec 07, 2023
Does 'advance' always suggest progress?
Generally, but the context can vary its implication.
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Dec 07, 2023
How does 'enhance' affect a product's appeal?
It makes the product more attractive or effective.
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Dec 07, 2023
Can 'advance' be used in a social context?
Yes, like advancing in social status.
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Dec 07, 2023
Is 'enhance' used in marketing?
Yes, in the context of enhancing a brand's image.
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Dec 07, 2023
What does 'advance' imply in a relationship?
It can imply taking steps forward or deepening the relationship.
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Dec 07, 2023
Does 'enhance' always mean physical improvement?
No, it can refer to non-physical improvements like enhancing a reputation.
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Dec 07, 2023
Is 'enhance' used in culinary contexts?
Yes, like enhancing the flavor of a dish.
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Dec 07, 2023
Can 'enhance' be applied to natural settings?
Yes, such as enhancing the beauty of a landscape.
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Dec 07, 2023
Can 'enhance' refer to aesthetic improvements?
Yes, like enhancing visual appeal.
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Dec 07, 2023
How does 'enhance' relate to personal development?
It involves improving existing skills or qualities.
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Dec 07, 2023
Can 'enhance' be used in an educational context?
Yes, like enhancing learning experiences.
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Dec 07, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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