advantage

/ədˈvæntɪdʒ/

/ədˈvɑntɪdʒ/

Other forms: advantages; advantaged; advantaging

An advantage is like a head start in a race; it's that thing that gives you a better chance.

The noun advantage also refers to a reward or benefit of some action or event. Being sick with the flu had the advantage of kick-starting your diet because you didn't feel like eating much. If you leverage the benefits, you are taking advantage of the situation. If you go on a business trip to Hawaii, you could take advantage of the opportunity and spend an extra day or two on vacation.

Definitions of advantage

1. noun

   the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
   “the experience gave him the advantage over me”

   synonyms: vantage

   antonyms:

   disadvantage

   the quality of having an inferior or less favorable position

   types:

   favor, favour

   an advantage to the benefit of someone or something

   leverage

   strategic advantage; power to act effectively

   handicap

   advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of winning

   homecourt advantage

   the advantage of playing on your home court in front of fans who are rooting for you

   lead

   an advantage held by a competitor in a race

   clout, pull

   special advantage or influence

   head start, start

   the advantage gained by beginning early (as in a race)

   gain, profit

   the advantageous quality of being beneficial

   preference

   grant of favor or advantage to one over another (especially to a country or countries in matters of international trade, such as levying duties)

   privilege

   a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all

   expedience, expediency

   the quality of being suited to the end in view

   favorable position, favourable position, superiority

   the quality of being at a competitive advantage

   good

   benefit

   advantageousness, favorableness, favourableness, positiveness, positivity, profitableness

   the quality of being encouraging or promising of a successful outcome

   tax advantage

   an advantage bestowed by legislation that reduces a tax on some preferred activity

   bargaining chip

   leverage in the form of an inducement or a concession useful in successful negotiations

   account

   the quality of taking advantage

   gainfulness, lucrativeness, profitability, profitableness

   the quality of affording gain or benefit or profit

   edge

   a slight competitive advantage

   inside track

   a favorable position in a competition

   upper hand, whip hand

   position of advantage and control

   common good, commonweal, weal

   the good of a community

   auspiciousness, propitiousness

   the favorable quality of strongly indicating a successful result

   penalty

   (games) a handicap or disadvantage that is imposed on a competitor (or a team) for an infraction of the rules of the game

   scratch

   (golf) a handicap of zero strokes

   type of:

   asset, plus

   a useful or valuable quality
2. noun

   benefit resulting from some event or action
   “it turned out to my advantage”

   synonyms: reward

   type of:

   benefit, welfare

   something that aids or promotes well-being
3. verb

   give an advantage to
   “This system advantages the rich”

   antonyms:

   disadvantage

   put at a disadvantage; hinder, harm

   type of:

   favor, favour, prefer

   promote or prefer over another
4. noun

   (tennis) first point scored after deuce
   type of:

   point

   the unit of counting in scoring a game or contest