verb (used with object), ad·ver·tised, ad·ver·tis·ing.
- to announce or praise (a product, service, etc.) in some public medium of communication in order to induce people to buy or use it: to advertise a new brand of toothpaste.
- to give information to the public about; announce publicly in a newspaper, on radio or television, etc.: to advertise a reward.
- to call attention to, in a boastful or ostentatious manner: Stop advertising yourself!
- Obsolete. to give notice, advice, or information to; inform: I advertised him of my intention.
- Obsolete. to admonish; warn.
verb (used without object), ad·ver·tised, ad·ver·tis·ing.
- to ask for something by placing a notice in a newspaper, over radio or television, etc.: to advertise for a house to rent.
- to offer goods for sale or rent, solicit funds, etc., by means of advertisements: It pays to advertise.
- Cards.
- Poker.to bluff so as to make the bluff obvious.
- Rummy.to discard a card in order to induce an opponent to discard one of the same suit or denomination.
verb
- to present or praise (goods, a service, etc) to the public, esp in order to encourage sales
- to make (something, such as a vacancy, article for sale, etc) publicly known, as to possible applicants, buyers, etcto advertise a job
- (intr foll by for) to make a public request (for), esp in a newspaper, etcshe advertised for a cook
- obsolete to warn; caution
1560s, agent noun from advertise (v.).
early 15c., “to take notice of,” from Middle French advertiss-, present participle stem of a(d)vertir “to warn” (12c.), from Latin advertere “turn toward,” from ad- “toward” (see ad-) + vertere “to turn” (see versus).
Sense shifted to “to give notice to others, warn” (late 15c.) by influence of advertisement; specific meaning “to call attention to goods for sale, rewards, etc.” had emerged by late 18c. Original meaning remains in the verb advert “to give attention to.” Related: Advertised; advertising.