advertising
advertising
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /ˈædvərtaɪzɪŋ/
Syllable Breakdown:
ad-: /æd/ (as in "add")
ver-: /vər/ (as in the "ver" in "version")
tis-: /taɪz/ (as in "tize" in "itemize")
ing: /ɪŋ/ (as in "ing" in "sing")
Word Form Variations
Noun:
advertising (uncountable)
advertisement (singular, countable)
advertisements (plural, countable)
Verb:
advertise (base form)
advertises (third-person singular present)
advertised (past tense, past participle)
advertising (present participle)
Adjective:
advertising (as in "advertising campaign")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The activity or profession of producing advertisements for commercial products or services.
Synonyms: promotion, marketing, publicity, branding
Antonyms: concealment, suppression, secrecy
Definition 2: The advertisements themselves, collectively; the materials or media used to promote goods, services, or ideas.
Synonyms: ads, commercials, promotions, campaigns, publicity
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for the collective output, but rather for the absence of it, e.g., lack of promotion)
Verb (Present Participle of "to advertise")
Definition 1: The act of publicly announcing or describing a product, service, or event to promote sales or attendance.
Synonyms: promoting, publicizing, marketing, broadcasting, announcing
Antonyms: concealing, hiding, suppressing, secretizing
Adjective
Definition 1: Relating to or used for the purpose of advertising.
Synonyms: promotional, marketing, publicizing, commercial
Antonyms: private, unpublicized, non-commercial
Examples of Use
Books:
"He had always believed that good products sold themselves, but then he read Confessions of an Advertising Man by David Ogilvy, which fundamentally changed his perspective on the power of strategic communication."
"The novel explores the insidious nature of modern consumerism, often through the lens of subliminal advertising techniques used by corporations to manipulate public desire."
Newspapers:
"The New York Times reported last month that digital advertising revenue continues to outpace traditional print advertising for the first time in history." (New York Times)
"Local businesses are struggling with the rising costs of online advertising, prompting many to consider returning to more localized marketing efforts," according to an article in The Daily Herald.
Online Publications:
"Google's latest quarterly report showcased significant growth in its search advertising sector, driven by increased small business spending," as noted by TechCrunch. (TechCrunch)
"A recent piece on AdWeek discussed the ethical implications of AI-powered advertising, particularly regarding data privacy and algorithmic bias." (AdWeek)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television (Commercials): "During the Super Bowl, the cost of a 30-second advertising slot can reach millions of dollars, making it one of the most coveted opportunities for brands."
Podcasts: "Many popular podcasts rely heavily on native advertising, where hosts seamlessly integrate product mentions into their discussions."
Video Games: "In-game advertising has become a significant revenue stream for game developers, with dynamic ads appearing on billboards and within virtual environments."
Film: "The documentary analyzed the historical evolution of advertising in cinema, from early product placements to integrated brand storytelling."
Streaming Services: "Even ad-supported tiers of streaming services like Hulu and Peacock rely on targeted advertising to generate revenue, often showing different ads to different viewers based on their profiles."
General Public Discourse:
"The city council debated new regulations concerning outdoor advertising, particularly the proliferation of large digital billboards."
"Consumers are becoming increasingly savvy at blocking online advertising, leading companies to explore new, less intrusive methods of reaching audiences."
"My nephew just got a job in advertising; he's working on campaigns for a major soft drink company."
"She complained about the sheer volume of spam advertising she receives in her email inbox every day."
10 Quotes Using Advertising
"Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half." – John Wanamaker
"Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising." – Mark Twain
"Advertising is legalized lying." – H.G. Wells
"Creative without strategy is called 'art.' Creative with strategy is called 'advertising.'" – Jef I. Richards
"Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing, but nobody else does." – Steuart Henderson Britt
"Good advertising does not just circulate information. It penetrates the public mind with desires and belief." – Leo Burnett
"The consumer isn't a moron, she's your wife." – David Ogilvy
"Advertising is the art of convincing people to spend money they don't have for something they don't need." – Will Rogers
"Nobody reads advertising. People read what interests them; and sometimes it's an ad." – Howard Luck Gossage
"Nothing except the mint can make money without advertising." – Thomas Babington Macaulay
Etymology
The word "advertising" has a fascinating journey through language, reflecting how its meaning has changed over time.
Its roots go way back to Latin. The core of the word comes from the Latin verb "advertere," which literally means "to turn toward." This is made up of "ad-" (meaning "to" or "toward") and "vertere" (meaning "to turn"). So, originally, it was about directing one's attention to something.
From Latin, it moved into Old French as "avertir" (later "advertir"). In the 12th century, this meant "to make aware, to call attention, to remark."
When it entered English in the early 15th century (around 1426, specifically for the verb "advertisen"), its first meaning was still very much about "to take notice of" or "to turn one's attention to something." It was used in a general sense, not specifically for selling things. For example, you might "advertise" someone of a danger, meaning you would call their attention to it or warn them.
Over time, this general meaning of "giving notice" or "informing" started to narrow down. By the mid-15th century, the meaning evolved to "give notice to others" or "make clear." By the late 18th century, the specific commercial meaning we know today – "to call attention to goods for sale, rewards, etc., to promote them" – really started to emerge and become dominant.
So, while "advertising" today is almost exclusively about promoting products or services, its original meaning was simply about directing attention or giving notice of something in general. The commercial aspect came much later as markets and trade developed.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Advertising
Advertising campaign: A planned series of advertisements.
Advertising blitz: A sudden, intense burst of advertising activity.
Advertising budget: The amount of money allocated for advertising.
Advertising agency: A business that creates, plans, and handles advertising for clients.
Advertising space/slot: The physical or temporal medium available for advertisements (e.g., on a billboard, in a magazine, or during a TV show).
Guerilla advertising: Unconventional and often low-cost marketing tactics designed to create maximum buzz.
Word-of-mouth advertising: Promotion of products or services by satisfied customers to other potential customers.
Public service advertising/announcement (PSA): Advertising that promotes public welfare, often on behalf of non-profit organizations or government agencies.
Blind advertising: An advertisement that does not reveal the identity of the advertiser.
To buy into the advertising: To believe the claims or promises made in an advertisement.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of advertising from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
