advertisement

advertisement — noun

1. a message in print, sound, or video that is made to make people want to buy or u

1.nounA2
Definition

a message in print, sound, or video that is made to make people want to buy or use something.

Example

On the train, Mei noticed an advertisement for a new language app.

advertisement for + product

A loud advertisement played before the football highlights on TV.

audio or video advertisement

Common collocations
  • online advertisement
  • television advertisement
  • newspaper advertisement
  • see an advertisement
Synonyms
  • ad

    everyday short form; very common in speech

  • commercial

    usually a television, radio, or online video advertisement

  • promo

    informal; often a short piece made to create excitement

Grammar Patterns

an advertisement for + product/service

an advertisement on + television/website/bus

Usage Note

Often names the medium or place: an advertisement on television, online, or on a bus. Distinguish from sense 2, which is usually a short public notice rather than sales material.

Common Mistakes

I saw an advertise on YouTube.
I saw an advertisement on YouTube.
'advertise' is the verb; 'advertisement' is the noun.

2. a short written notice announcing work, housing, classes, or other opportunities

2.nounB1
Definition

a short written notice announcing work, housing, classes, or other opportunities to the public.

Example

Rita circled the apartment advertisement in Saturday's local paper.

advertisement in + newspaper

At the school gate, we posted an advertisement for extra volunteers.

post an advertisement for + people needed

Common collocations
  • job advertisement
  • apartment advertisement
  • place an advertisement
  • answer an advertisement
Synonyms
  • notice

    general word for a public written message

  • listing

    common for jobs, homes, and items for sale

  • announcement

    broader; can also be spoken, not only written

Grammar Patterns

an advertisement for + job/event/room

place/post/answer an advertisement

Usage Note

Common after words like job, apartment, class, and volunteers, and often used with verbs such as place, post, answer, and print. Distinguish from sense 1, where the main aim is to persuade people to buy or use something.

Common Mistakes

I replied a job advertisement yesterday.
I replied to a job advertisement yesterday.' / 'I answered a job advertisement yesterday.
use 'reply to', or use the verb 'answer' directly.

3. a person or thing that makes something else look impressive by clearly showing i

3.nounB2
Definition

a person or thing that makes something else look impressive by clearly showing its good results.

Example

Her bright smile was an advertisement for the dentist's work.

be an advertisement for + service

For many parents, the busy playground is an advertisement for the town's family life.

figurative use with a place as subject

Common collocations
  • be an advertisement for
  • a walking advertisement for
Synonyms
  • proof

    stresses evidence that something works well

  • showcase

    highlights something by presenting it attractively

  • endorsement

    usually more deliberate and public than this figurative sense

Grammar Patterns

be an advertisement for + noun

Usage Note

Almost always used in the pattern be an advertisement for + noun. The subject is usually a person, place, result, or object that makes something else look attractive without trying directly to sell it.

Common Mistakes

Her healthy skin is an advertisement of the cream.
Her healthy skin is an advertisement for the cream.
this figurative pattern uses 'for', not 'of'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Advertisement' is the full neutral word for material that tries to sell or promote something. 'Ad' is the everyday short form, so it is more common in conversation: 'I saw an ad on my phone.' 'Commercial' is narrower and usually means an advertisement on television, radio, or online video: 'The game stopped for a commercial.' 'Promo' is informal and often suggests a short piece made to create excitement, especially for shows, music, or events: 'They posted a promo before the concert.' So a poster in the subway is an advertisement or ad, but the short video before a song is more naturally called a commercial or promo.

advertisement ↗ad ↗commercial ↗promo ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

  • advertisement for
  • advertisement in
  • advertisement on

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Advertisement' was formed in English from 'advertise' plus the noun ending '-ment'. 'Advertise' came through French from Latin advertere, meaning 'turn toward' or 'direct attention to', which matches the idea of drawing people's notice to something.