advertize
C1formal, business, commercial
Definition
Meaning
To call public attention to (a product, service, or event), especially by paid announcements; to give notice of; to announce publicly.
To promote or make known, often through various media channels; can also mean to inform or notify someone, though this usage is now rare.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in transitive contexts with a direct object (what is being promoted). The intransitive use ('to advertise for something') means to place an advertisement seeking something (e.g., 'advertise for a new manager'). The spelling 'advertize' is a less common variant, chiefly historical or in specific style guides; 'advertise' is overwhelmingly standard.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'advertise' is standard in both UK and US English. 'Advertize' is an archaic/rare spelling variant, sometimes seen in older texts or in contexts influenced by the '-ize' suffix preference (e.g., Oxford spelling). The pronunciation does not differ based on this spelling.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word carries commercial connotations. In UK English, the noun 'advert' is common colloquially, while US English prefers 'ad' or 'commercial' (for TV/radio).
Frequency
The word is high-frequency in business and media contexts. The '-ise' spelling is dominant globally, including the UK, despite Oxford's '-ize' allowance.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VN] (transitive: advertise sth)[V that] (formal: advertise that...)[V for N] (intransitive: advertise for sth/sb)[V -ing] (rare: advertise selling property)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Advertise for (to seek through an ad)”
- “Advertise oneself (to promote one's own abilities, often negatively viewed as boastful)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company will advertise the new software suite during the industry conference.
Academic
The study did not advertise for participants but recruited them through existing networks.
Everyday
I saw they advertise those biscuits on the telly all the time.
Technical
The algorithm is designed to optimize where and when to advertise digital products.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They plan to advertise the job in the local paper and on LinkedIn.
- It's illegal to advertise cigarettes on television in the UK.
American English
- The startup will advertise its app during the Super Bowl.
- He decided to advertise his car for sale on Craigslist.
adverb
British English
- N/A (The related adverb is 'advertisingly', which is extremely rare and not standard.)
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A (The participial adjective 'advertised' is used: 'the advertised price')
American English
- N/A (The participial adjective 'advertised' is used: 'the advertised features')
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Shops advertise prices in the window.
- They advertise toys on TV.
- The company is advertising for a new receptionist.
- We need to advertise our summer camp more effectively.
- Despite advertising the concert extensively, ticket sales were disappointing.
- The law restricts how pharmaceutical companies can advertise prescription drugs.
- The museum cleverly advertises its exhibitions through targeted social media campaigns to engage younger demographics.
- Critics argue that advertising high-sugar cereals to children is ethically questionable.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ADVertise' – you add VERTical banners (ads) to make something ISE (rise in popularity).
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMERCE IS WAR (advertise = to launch a campaign), ATTENTION IS A COMMODITY (advertise = to purchase attention).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend: 'рекламировать' is the direct equivalent, but be careful of the spelling variant '-ize' vs '-ise'. Russian speakers might overuse the verb for simple 'announce' contexts where 'announce' or 'notify' is more natural in English.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'advertize' in contexts where 'advertise' is expected (though technically a variant, it is often marked as incorrect).
- Using it intransitively incorrectly: 'They advertised about the sale' (incorrect) vs 'They advertised the sale' (correct) or 'They advertised for a new car' (correct, meaning they placed an ad seeking to buy one).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'advertise' correctly in a formal business context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Advertize' is a rare and largely historical spelling variant. The standard modern spelling in both British and American English is 'advertise'. The '-ize' spelling may be found in contexts following Oxford spelling conventions, but 'advertise' is universally accepted and more common.
Both mean to make something known to the public. 'Advertise' strongly implies payment (for an ad space) or a direct commercial intent to sell a product/service. 'Publicize' is broader and can mean to generate publicity or awareness through any means, not necessarily paid (e.g., through news articles, events, social media).
Yes, but the meaning changes. With a direct object ('advertise a product'), it means to promote that thing. Without one, it typically requires the preposition 'for' ('advertise for a plumber'), meaning to place an advertisement in order to find or acquire something.
No, in standard English, 'advert' is a noun (common in UK English, short for 'advertisement'). The verb is exclusively 'advertise'. Using 'advert' as a verb (e.g., 'to advert a sale') is non-standard.