vantage

/ˈvæntɪdʒ/

Other forms: vantages

A vantage is a really good place from which to survey a scene. You might find that the roof of the house offers an excellent vantage from which to drop water balloons on your kid brother’s head.

Vantage is a variation of advantage, but when we use vantage we’re almost always talking about a position, not just general superiority. If you had extra tutoring for a big exam, you would have the advantage over a classmate who didn’t. But if your seat for the test allowed you to see the answer sheet lying on the desk, well then you would have a superior vantage — not that you would take advantage of that, of course!

Definitions of vantage

1. noun

   place or situation affording some advantage (especially a comprehensive view or commanding perspective)
   types:

   vantage point, viewpoint

   a place from which something can be viewed

   type of:

   place, position

   the particular portion of space occupied by something
2. noun

   the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
   synonyms: advantage

   types:

   favor, favour

   an advantage to the benefit of someone or something

   leverage

   strategic advantage; power to act effectively

   handicap

   advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of winning

   homecourt advantage

   the advantage of playing on your home court in front of fans who are rooting for you

   lead

   an advantage held by a competitor in a race

   clout, pull

   special advantage or influence

   head start, start

   the advantage gained by beginning early (as in a race)

   gain, profit

   the advantageous quality of being beneficial

   preference

   grant of favor or advantage to one over another (especially to a country or countries in matters of international trade, such as levying duties)

   privilege

   a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all

   expedience, expediency

   the quality of being suited to the end in view

   favorable position, favourable position, superiority

   the quality of being at a competitive advantage

   good

   benefit

   advantageousness, favorableness, favourableness, positiveness, positivity, profitableness

   the quality of being encouraging or promising of a successful outcome

   tax advantage

   an advantage bestowed by legislation that reduces a tax on some preferred activity

   bargaining chip

   leverage in the form of an inducement or a concession useful in successful negotiations

   account

   the quality of taking advantage

   gainfulness, lucrativeness, profitability, profitableness

   the quality of affording gain or benefit or profit

   edge

   a slight competitive advantage

   inside track

   a favorable position in a competition

   upper hand, whip hand

   position of advantage and control

   common good, commonweal, weal

   the good of a community

   auspiciousness, propitiousness

   the favorable quality of strongly indicating a successful result

   penalty

   (games) a handicap or disadvantage that is imposed on a competitor (or a team) for an infraction of the rules of the game

   scratch

   (golf) a handicap of zero strokes

   type of:

   asset, plus

   a useful or valuable quality