advanced
advanced — adjective
1. using the newest ideas, designs, or equipment that exist today.
using the newest ideas, designs, or equipment that exist today.
Japan builds some of the most advanced robots in the world.
advanced + noun (technology context)
The hospital in Taipei uses advanced scanners to find tumors early.
Tesla cars come with advanced software that can park them automatically.
Farmers in the Netherlands grow vegetables with very advanced lighting systems.
South Korea is known for its advanced internet networks and fast phones.
- cutting-edge
stronger; suggests right at the front of innovation
- modern
broader; just 'of today', not necessarily ahead of others
- sophisticated
stresses cleverness of design, not just newness
文法句型
advanced + noun
用法筆記
Subject is usually a piece of technology, equipment, or a country/region. Distinguish from sense 2 (about study level) — this sense is about modern design, not about difficulty for learners.
常見錯誤
2. studying or teaching things that are harder than the basic ones, usually after t
studying or teaching things that are harder than the basic ones, usually after the early lessons.
Tariq signed up for an advanced Spanish class after living in Madrid for a year.
advanced + class / course
The advanced math textbook has many problems my younger brother cannot solve.
Only advanced students may join the school's chess team.
Uri wants to take advanced piano lessons at the music school.
This book is for advanced learners who already know the past tense.
- higher-level
neutral classroom label
- expert
even further on; for top performers
- elementary
for absolute beginners
- basic
covers only the simplest content
- beginner
describes the learner, not the course
文法句型
advanced + course/student/level
用法筆記
Common in education contexts: advanced course, advanced student, advanced level. Distinguish from sense 1 (modern technology) — sense 2 is about how hard the study material is, not whether it is new.
常見錯誤
3. near the end of a process or period of time, with most of it already finished.
near the end of a process or period of time, with most of it already finished.
Talks between the two companies are now at an advanced stage.
at an advanced stage (idiomatic phrase)
The bridge project has reached an advanced stage and will open next month.
Hana's research is at an advanced stage, with only the final chapter left to write.
Plans for the new airport are at an advanced state of preparation.
Their wedding planning is in an advanced phase, and the venue is already booked.
- late
simpler; just 'near the end'
- well-progressed
stresses that a lot has been done
文法句型
advanced + stage/state
用法筆記
Frequently used in fixed phrases: 'at an advanced stage', 'in an advanced state of [preparation/decay]'. Distinguish from sense 4 (illness) — this sense is neutral about plans, projects, or time of day.
常見錯誤
4. describing a sickness that has spread far and is now hard to treat, often danger
describing a sickness that has spread far and is now hard to treat, often dangerous to life.
Doctors told the family that the cancer was at an advanced stage.
advanced + cancer / disease
Treatment for advanced lung disease takes many months and costs a lot.
Mr. Chen was admitted to the hospital with advanced kidney failure.
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's often need a full-time caregiver at home.
- late-stage
very direct medical phrasing
- terminal
stronger; means cannot be cured
- early-stage
found and treatable in good time
- mild
not serious
文法句型
advanced + illness/cancer/disease
用法筆記
Subject is a disease name (cancer, dementia, Parkinson's, kidney disease) or a body system. Distinguish from sense 3 — sense 4 is specifically about illness and carries a serious, often grave tone.
常見錯誤
5. a class of pupils whose lessons are harder than what most children of their age
a class of pupils whose lessons are harder than what most children of their age usually study.
Sara was moved into the advanced class after she finished the math book in two weeks.
the advanced + class / group / track
The school's advanced reading group meets every Thursday in the library.
Mr. Lopez teaches the advanced class and helps each child pick a project topic.
Children in the advanced group study chapters that older grades normally cover.
- honors class
American school label for top track
- gifted class
for children identified as very able
- remedial class
for pupils needing extra help
文法句型
the advanced (group)
用法筆記
Often used as a group noun ('the advanced') in school settings. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 2 modifies any course or student; sense 5 names a specific top class within a school.
常見錯誤
6. old, said in a kind and respectful way to avoid the word 'old'.
old, said in a kind and respectful way to avoid the word 'old'.
Despite her advanced years, Grandma Ines still climbs the stairs every morning.
advanced + age/years (polite)
Mr. Wallace is of an advanced age but writes a new poem each week.
of an advanced age (fixed phrase)
Many people in this village reach an advanced age and stay healthy.
Even at an advanced age, Mrs. Zane leads the church choir on Sundays.
文法句型
advanced age/years
用法筆記
Almost always with 'age' or 'years' in fixed polite phrases ('of advanced age', 'in advanced years'). Common in obituaries and respectful speech. Distinguish from sense 7, which uses the same idea but as a noun phrase about somebody's age figure.
常見錯誤
7. the way you describe somebody's age when they are notably older than most others
the way you describe somebody's age when they are notably older than most others taking part in a particular activity or field.
Ilya won the dance prize at the advanced age of forty-two, beating teenagers.
advanced age + 'for' a peer group context
He started his medical degree at the advanced age of fifty, ten years older than his classmates.
For a footballer, thirty-six is an advanced age to play in a World Cup final.
Grandpa Pete became a father again at the rather advanced age of sixty-five.
文法句型
advanced age (for/in a context)
用法筆記
Almost always in the pattern 'at the advanced age of [number]' or 'an advanced age for [peer group]'. Distinguishes from sense 6 — sense 6 means 'old' in general; sense 7 means 'old relative to peers in this activity', so the number can be quite young (e.g. 36 for an athlete).