advantage

A good or useful result or feature of something.

• The main advantage is the price.
• Working from home has several advantages.
• What are the advantages of this system?

How to use it: an advantage of something/doing something (An advantage of cycling is the low cost.)

Similar words: benefit, plus

Opposites: disadvantage, drawback

Common phrases: advantage of something, main advantage, to your advantage

Something that makes success easier or more likely.

• Experience gives you an advantage.
• His height was an advantage in the match.
• They had the advantage of knowing the area.

How to use it: the advantage of something (She has the advantage of local knowledge.)

Similar words: asset, edge

Opposites: disadvantage

Common phrases: advantage of something, natural advantage, give an advantage

A stronger or better position than someone else.

• Our team has the advantage now.
• They lost their advantage in the final minutes.
• Better equipment gave her an advantage over her rivals.

How to use it: an advantage over someone/something (Our speed gives us an advantage over the other team.)

Similar words: edge, upper hand, superiority

Opposites: disadvantage

Common phrases: advantage over someone, competitive advantage, hold an advantage

The score after a player wins a point at deuce, needing one more point to win the game.

• It is advantage to the server.
• She lost the next point at advantage.
• The umpire called advantage to the receiver.

Similar words: ad

Common phrases: advantage to someone, advantage server, advantage receiver

To put someone in a better position to succeed.

• These rules advantage larger firms.
• The new policy advantaged wealthy families.
• Does the system advantage experienced applicants?

Similar words: benefit, favour

Opposites: disadvantage

Common phrases: advantage some people, advantage one side, advantage local firms