Advancement

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ædˈvɑːns.mənt/

Definitions

1. Forward movement or progress toward a better position, higher rank, or improved state
2. Progression into a superior position or status, the act of making enhancements, or the process of developing skills and knowledge for improvement
3. The act of moving forward in rank or quality, enhancing one's circumstances, or developing expertise in a particular area

Etymology: "Advancement" is a plain formation: the verb "advance" with the suffix "-ment", which turns an action into the noun for that action or its result. The verb itself came into English from Old French "avancer", built from "avant", meaning "before" or "in front", which traces back to Latin "ab ante", "from before". So the core idea is literally a movement from the front, or a going forward. The noun arrived in English from Old French "avancement", where it had the same sense of a moving forward or a rise in position. Middle English used it in that concrete-leaning way, and over time the meaning shifted toward rank, status and prospects in a career or society, which is where most modern uses sit.

Synonyms: progress, promotion, development, improvement, growth

Antonyms: setback, decline, recession