promote

Pronunciation: /prəˈməʊt/

verb

Difficulty: common

Definition of promote

To actively support, encourage, or contribute to the growth, development, or success of something; to elevate or advance to a higher position or rank.

Origin of promote

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: promovere

Original meaning: to move forward

How it evolved: Initially used to describe physical movement, it evolved to encompass metaphorical advancement, such as career promotion or advocacy.

Derived from the Latin word 'promovere,' meaning 'to move forward' or 'to advance,' it entered Middle English through Old French as 'promouvoir.'

First known use: 14th century

How to Remember promote

Picture a professional athlete being ‘pro-moted’ to a higher league—think of 'pro' as moving forward and 'mote' as motion or progress.

Synonyms for promote

Antonyms of promote

promote in a Sentence

  1. The organization seeks to promote environmental sustainability by funding renewable energy projects.
  2. She was promoted to a senior management position after consistently exceeding performance expectations.
  3. The campaign aims to promote awareness about the importance of mental health in the workplace.

promote in Literature & Culture

The word 'promote' is often found in motivational speeches and literature advocating for self-improvement, equality, and progress, such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches promoting civil rights.

Usage Notes

Promote is often used in professional, academic, and marketing contexts to indicate advancement or advocacy. Be mindful of its positive connotation; it rarely implies forced or negative advancement.

Why promote Matters for GRE & SAT

This word frequently appears in GRE reading passages discussing policies, initiatives, or leadership strategies, making it crucial for test-takers to understand its nuanced usage.

Word Family

promotion (noun)
The act or process of advancing or elevating something to a higher rank or position.
promoter (noun)
A person or entity that actively advocates or supports a cause or event.
promotive (adjective)
Tending to encourage or advance the growth or success of something.

Did You Know?

  • The word 'promote' has been used in Shakespeare's plays to describe social advancement and political maneuvering.
  • Promote is commonly used in marketing slogans, such as 'Promoting healthy lifestyles' or 'Promote your brand effectively.'
  • The concept of promotion has historical significance, as medieval knights were 'promoted' through ceremonies granting higher ranks.

More Vocabulary Words Starting with P

  • pacify — bring peace to or calm someone down
  • pacify — bring peace to or calm someone down
  • painstaking — Done with or employing great care and thoroughness
  • painstaking — done with careful attention to detail
  • painstaking — done with careful attention to detail
  • palpable — tangible, perceptible, or clearly noticeable
  • palpable — So intense as to seem almost tangible
  • palpable — tangible, perceptible, or clearly noticeable
  • paltry — of little monetary worth; trivial
  • paltry — of little monetary worth; trivial