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nounnounadjective

el adelantado

advance

Definition & meaning

Adelantado can mean:

  • Advanced or ahead in development, progress, or position: an advanced student or a project that is well underway.
  • Early or ahead of schedule: something done before the expected time.
  • Forward-thinking or ahead of its time: a person or idea with unusually progressive views.
  • As a historical noun, an appointed governor or military leader, especially in medieval Spain and Spanish colonial territories.

Grammar & Word origin

Adelantado is an adjective and the past participle of adelantar (“to advance” or “to bring forward”). As an adjective, it agrees with the noun: adelantada , adelantados , adelantadas .

It comes from adelante , meaning “forward” or “ahead.”

Synonyms & antonyms

  • avanzado — “advanced”; often emphasizes a high level of development or knowledge.
  • temprano — “early”; focuses on time rather than progress.
  • innovador — “innovative”; emphasizes introducing new ideas rather than simply being ahead of one’s time.
  • retrasado — “delayed” or “behind schedule”; the opposite when referring to progress or timing.

Common phrases & collocations

  • por adelantado — “in advance,” especially for payment or preparation.
  • adelantado a su tiempo — “ahead of their time.”
  • curso adelantado — “advanced course.”

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Examples

Está muy adelantado en sus estudios este semestre.adjective

He is very advanced in his studies this semester.

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