advertize

IPA/ˈadvətˌaɪz/
IPA/ˈædvɚtˌaɪz/

advertize — verb

1. to make people know about a product, service, event, room, or job so they will b

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to make people know about a product, service, event, room, or job so they will buy it, join it, or answer it.

Example

The bakery advertized fresh mango cakes with signs near the station.

advertize + product in a selling context

Our school advertized for a basketball coach before the summer term.

advertize for + person/job wanted

Common collocations
  • advertize a product
  • advertize online
  • advertize for staff
  • advertized event
Synonyms
  • promote

    stresses building interest or sales, not only placing public notice

  • publicize

    broader and slightly more formal; often used for news or causes too

  • market

    more business-focused and often includes a wider sales plan

  • announce

    simply gives information and may not try to persuade people

Antonyms
  • hide

    to keep something from public view

  • withhold

    to choose not to share information or offers

Grammar Patterns

advertize + noun

advertize for + person/job

be advertized + adverb/place

Usage Note

This spelling is much less common than advertise in modern English. Objects are usually things people can buy, attend, rent, or apply for, and 'advertize for' is common when someone is wanted.

Common Mistakes

The cafe advertized a new cook last week.
The cafe advertized for a new cook last week.
use 'advertize for' when you want to find a worker or another person.

2. to make something easy to notice by showing it clearly or by giving visible sign

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to make something easy to notice by showing it clearly or by giving visible signs of it.

Example

The muddy floor advertized the boys' trip through the garden.

inanimate subject showing a hidden fact

His shaking hands advertized his fear before the class presentation.

advertize + feeling made visible

Common collocations
  • advertize fear
  • advertize a problem
  • advertize success
  • advertize that ...
Synonyms
  • show

    the broadest everyday word, without the special idea of drawing notice

  • indicate

    more neutral and often used for signs or evidence

  • signal

    stresses a clear sign that points to something

  • reveal

    focuses on making something hidden known

Antonyms
  • hide

    to keep the fact from being noticed

  • mask

    to cover the signs so people do not see them

Grammar Patterns

advertize + fact/quality

advertize + that-clause

Usage Note

Subject is often a mark, sign, appearance, or other clue rather than a person paying for an ad. Distinguish from sense 1, which is a deliberate attempt to attract customers, guests, or applicants.

Common Mistakes

I advertized my headache to the doctor.
I told the doctor about my headache.
this sense suggests that many people can notice the fact, not that you informed one listener.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

For verb/1, advertize means putting something before the public so people notice it and respond. Promote is close, but it more strongly suggests trying to increase interest, popularity, or sales. Publicize is broader and a little more formal; people publicize research, campaigns, and public news, not only things for sale. Market is more business-centered and can include pricing, branding, and sales strategy, not just ads. Announce is the most neutral choice because it only means giving information. A cafe can advertize a new lunch set, a charity can publicize a weekend clean-up, and a school can announce a holiday change.

promote ↗publicize ↗market ↗announce ↗

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Advertize is a less common spelling of advertise. Both forms came into English through French from a Latin verb meaning "turn toward" or "draw attention to." In older English, the word was closer to "inform" or "notify." Later, it developed the modern idea of making goods, services, events, and other public offers known to many people.