adelantar

Definition & meaning

Adelantar generally means to move something forward. Depending on context, it can mean:

• To advance or bring forward: move an event to an earlier time, or make progress on a task.
• To overtake: pass a vehicle or person moving in the same direction.
• To give or pay in advance: provide money or information before the expected time.
• To put a clock forward: set its hands or display to a later time.

The reflexive form, adelantarse ↗, means “to go ahead,” “to act ahead of time,” or “to get ahead of someone.”

Grammar & Word origin

Adelantar is a regular -ar verb. It can be transitive, as when advancing a date, or intransitive, as when making progress.

It is related to adelante ↗, meaning “forward” or “ahead.” Its underlying parts are a- (“toward”) and delante (“in front”).

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms depend on the meaning:

• avanzar ↗ — “to advance” or “make progress”; it does not normally mean overtaking.
• anticipar ↗ — “to bring forward” or “anticipate”; it emphasizes acting before the expected time.
• sobrepasar ↗ — “to surpass” or “go past”; it can describe passing someone but is broader than overtaking in traffic.

Antonyms:

• retrasar ↗ — “to delay” or “put back,” especially a date or clock.
• atrasar ↗ — “to set back” or “delay,” also used for clocks.
• quedarse atrás ↗ — “to fall behind,” the opposite of getting ahead.

Common phrases & collocations

• adelantar una reunión ↗ — to bring a meeting forward.
• adelantar a un coche ↗ — to overtake a car.
• adelantar dinero ↗ — to advance money.
• adelantar el reloj ↗ — to put the clock forward.