Ad
/æd/
nounA2
Definition
An "ad" is a small message or announcement that tries to get people interested in something, like a product, a job, or an event. Ads appear on TV, online, in newspapers, or on signs, and they want to make people notice and want what is being offered.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
A message to promote or sell something
- •I saw an ad for a new car on TV.
- •The company put an ad in the newspaper to find new workers.
- •Online ads appear on many websites.
A short form for "advertisement" used in speech and writing
- •He said, "Did you see that ad on Instagram?"
- •The ad was very funny and made me laugh.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "ad" like "notice," but an ad tries to make you want to buy or do something, not just inform you.
- ✓Picture a colorful poster or a short video showing a new phone with happy people using it.
- ✓It's the feeling when you see a cool toy on TV and want to have it.
- ✓Sounds like "add" (to put more) → imagine adding something new to your life after seeing an ad.
- ✓Remember famous ads like a catchy song or a funny commercial on TV that you remember easily.
- ✓NOT like "news" (which tells facts), an ad tries to sell or promote something.
- ✓NOT like "story" (which is for fun), an ad is made to get your attention quickly.
- ✓NOT like "offer" (the deal itself), an ad is the message that tells you about the offer.
Try Other Words
- •Advertisement: a full word for ad (Use when you want to be formal or clear)
- •Commercial: an ad on TV or radio (Use when talking about ads with sound and video)
- •Promotion: a special offer or activity to sell something (Use when focusing on the sale or discount)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "ad" is a short form of "advertisement"
- •Etymology: From Latin "advertere," meaning "to turn toward" or "to pay attention to"
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 19th century as a short form for advertisement
- •Modern usage: Very common in everyday speech and writing, especially in informal contexts and online
Reflect & Connect
•How do different types of ads (TV, online, posters) affect the way you feel about a product?
•Can you think of an ad that made you want to buy something? What was special about it?
Fill in the blanks
1.The company made an ad to ___ more customers to buy their product.
2.I saw an ad on TV that was very ___ and made me laugh.
3.Unlike a news report, an ad tries to ___ people to take action.
4.The ad was shown ___ during the football game to reach many viewers.
5.When you see an ad, it often tries to make you feel ___ or excited about something.
6.A commercial is a type of ad that you hear and see on ___ or radio.
7.The ad was designed to ___ attention quickly and clearly.