advertise

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "advertise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to promote something for sale. For example, "The company is advertising its new product on TV and social media."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We call on all companies who advertise on [Jones's radio station] 2GB to publicly distance themselves from Alan Jones's latest sexist tirade, and to make a contribution to furthering gender equality as a sign of support," he said.

The Guardian

Ofcom is planning to advertise the first local multiplex licence in December - for Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

The Guardian - Business

Unparalleled creativity and innovation: Pangaea will allow brands to advertise using the most creative, technically advanced and engaging advertising formats on the market.

The Guardian

We also set anonymous cookies on certain other sites that we advertise on.

The Guardian

Businesses can in effect advertise there for free, just by signing up and gaining followers, but they tend to find it more effective to pay for an advert – and that's where Twitter is coining it.

The Guardian

Posters in shop and bar windows advertise the counselling services of psychologists from the Order of Malta's Italian Relief Corps (CISOM), on hand not only to help victims' relatives and rescuers, but also the locals themselves.

The Guardian

One source said ITN will advertise internally and externally for the vacant editor post.

The Guardian

Campaigners, including the Labour MP Stella Creasy, condemn decision to let Wonga advertise across London transport in exchange for paying for all-night transport.

The Guardian - Business

This allows companies to advertise to you if you leave their website without making a purchase.

The Guardian

Or rather, they've gone to war over Girls, their 1987 song, which is at the centre of a legal dispute after toymaker GoldieBlox recorded a parody of the track to advertise their construction kit toys.

The Guardian - Music

Not only does Tiens advertise on the Health Ministry's calendar, but according to Wasswa, around 10 MPs are members of the company.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing marketing copy, use "advertise" to clearly state the intent to promote a product, service, or event, ensuring your audience understands the purpose of the communication.

Common error

Avoid replacing "advertise" with overly technical terms like "brand activation" or "growth hacking" if clarity is your priority. Simpler language is often more effective at reaching a broader audience.

Linguistic Context

The word "advertise" functions primarily as a verb, indicating the action of making something known to the public, usually for the purpose of selling goods or services. Ludwig shows examples from diverse sources using "advertise" to denote promotional activities across various media.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "advertise" is a very common verb used to describe the act of making something publicly known, especially for the purpose of promoting sales or awareness. Grammatically correct and versatile, it is primarily found in news and business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous real-world examples. For alternative phrasing, consider "promote" or "publicize", but remember to maintain clarity and avoid overly technical jargon for broader audience reach. When using "advertise", ensure your intent is clear and your message resonates with the intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

promote

Focuses on actively encouraging the popularity or sale of something.

publicize

Emphasizes making something widely known to the public.

market

Highlights the strategic activities involved in selling a product or service.

announce

Stresses the formal or official declaration of something.

promote awareness of

Indicates effort to increase public knowledge and understanding.

call attention to

Focuses on making something noticeable or prominent.

make known

Emphasizes the act of revealing or communicating something.

bring to public notice

Highlights the action of making something visible to the general public.

hype

Suggests an exaggerated or sensationalized form of promotion.

tout

Implies aggressively promoting the merits of something.

FAQs

How can I use "advertise" in a sentence?

You can use "advertise" to describe the action of promoting something. For example, "Companies often "advertise" their products on social media" or "The event was "advertised" widely through posters and flyers".

What's a good alternative to "advertise"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "promote", "publicize", or "market". Each word carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your meaning.

Is there a difference between "advertise" and "promote"?

While both words relate to making something known, "advertise" typically refers to a specific effort to sell something through paid channels, while "promote" can refer to a broader range of activities aimed at increasing awareness or popularity.

What is the meaning of "advertise"?

The word "advertise" means to describe or praise (something, such as a product) publicly, especially in order to encourage people to buy it. See examples on Ludwig for context.