progress

American  

[prog-res, -ruhs, proh-gres, pruh-gres] / ˈprɒg rɛs, -rəs, ˈproʊ grɛs, prəˈgrɛs /

noun

• progress
  plural

1. a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage.

   the progress of a student toward a degree.

   Synonyms:

   progression, advance

   Antonyms:

   regression

2. developmental activity in science, technology, etc., especially with reference to the commercial opportunities created thereby or to the promotion of the material well-being of the public through the goods, techniques, or facilities created.

3. advancement in general.

4. growth or development; continuous improvement.

   He shows progress in his muscular coordination.

   Synonyms:

   betterment, increase

5. the development of an individual or society in a direction considered more beneficial than and superior to the previous level.

6. Biology. increasing differentiation and perfection in the course of ontogeny or phylogeny.

7. forward or onward movement.

   the progress of the planets.

8. the forward course of action, events, time, etc.

9. an official journey or tour, as by a sovereign or dignitary.

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verb (used without object)

• progresses,
  present (3rd person singular)
• progressed,
  past participle,  past
• progressing
  present participle

1. to go forward or onward in space or time.

   The wagon train progressed through the valley. As the play progressed, the leading man grew more inaudible.

2. to grow or develop, as in complexity, scope, or severity; advance.

   Are you progressing in your piano studies? The disease progressed slowly.

   Synonyms:

   increase, grow, improve, develop, proceed

   Antonyms:

   regress

idioms

1. in progress, going on; under way; being done; happening.

   The meeting was already in progress.

progress British  

noun

1. movement forwards, esp towards a place or objective

2. satisfactory development, growth, or advance

   she is making progress in maths

3. advance towards completion, maturity, or perfection

   the steady onward march of progress

4. (modifier) of or relating to progress

   a progress report

5. biology increasing complexity, adaptation, etc, during the development of an individual or evolution of a group

6. a stately royal journey

7. taking place; under way

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verb

1. (intr) to move forwards or onwards, as towards a place or objective

2. to move towards or bring nearer to completion, maturity, or perfection

progress More Idioms  

1. see in progress.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unprogressed
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• progress
  plural

Participles

• progressing
  present
• progressed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• progress
  simple
• progresses
  simple
• have progressed
  perfect
• has progressed
  perfect
• am progressing
  progressive
• are progressing
  progressive
• is progressing
  progressive
• have been progressing
  perfect progressive
• has been progressing
  perfect progressive

Past

• progressed
  simple
• had progressed
  perfect
• was progressing
  progressive
• were progressing
  progressive
• had been progressing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will progress
  simple
• will have progressed
  perfect
• will be progressing
  progressive
• will have been progressing
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of progress

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English progresse (noun), from Latin prōgressus “a going forward,” equivalent to prōgred-, stem of prōgredī “to advance” ( prō- “advancing, projecting forward” + -gredī, combining form of gradī “to step”; see pro- ¹, grade) + -tus suffix of verb action

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Explanation

The process of advancement and the way things move in the positive direction of improvement is called progress. If you got a B on your last test and a B+ on this one, that's progress. If you're moving toward a goal, you're making progress too. On a long trip, it feels like you're barely making progress, but every hour you've driven another 60 miles towards your destination. Or, the news reported recent progress in peace talks between the two feuding nations. Have you ever heard someone say that you can't stop progress? That means that things keep advancing and getting more complicated. Place the accent on the second syllable if you use it as a verb. Let's progress to the next stage.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

progress progresses progressed progressing

Perhaps the best sign of progress in the report was a big increase in the number of people who quit their jobs.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2026

Manchesterism, a term associated with Prime Minister Andy Burnham, is about the devolution of power to the regions, combining economic growth withh social progress.

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026

He argued for the need to construe these amendments in the light of humanity, “in the light of progress and civilization” that we want to see.

From Slate ● Nov. 3, 2026

Bass insists Inside Safe has made progress, clearing 140 encampments across the city.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026

“But I think we’ll make more progress talking in a more formal setting. I’ll have a word with your boss, make the necessary arrangements.”

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Now it looks like much or most of the first will be done by AI, leaving humans the second -- until next year, when AI progresses further.

From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026

But as the film progresses, viewers will find it bears his inimitable stamp—which is to say, it’s an utterly original creation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026

The 3v3 format only lasts for 12 months, so goalkeepers do return from under-8 level when the game progresses to 5v5.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

First, cloud margins alongside growth as deployment progresses.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

As the melody progresses, the pitches may go up or down slowly or quickly.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

As the photoshoot progressed, he noted a deep sense of connection between the women and was "blown away" to learn, mid-shoot, that they had met just three days earlier.

From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026

The question surrounding England's second spinner remains, however, as part-timers Jacks and Root conceded 71 off seven combined overs which could have given Brook a headache had Sri Lanka's run chase progressed deeper.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

The general losses in New York filtered through to Asia in the morning but some markets staged a comeback as the day progressed.

From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026

As healing progressed, the difference between males and females gradually became smaller.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026

After filling the tub with no more than six inches of water, Mandy and I bathed the babies; then it progressed until the oldest was finished, with everyone sharing the same water.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

In her comments Thursday, Machado said the U.S.’s three-phase recovery plan for Venezuela was progressing, but complained that Rodríguez had yet to fully dismantle a repressive state apparatus.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

Soccer is his sport, but he’s progressing so well in football, options could be opening up for someone who insists no one taught him how to kick or punt.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2026

I know that oftentimes, the logistics of getting engaged and married can take away from the joy of progressing in a partnership.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026

These subtypes are associated with a greater likelihood of progressing to advanced liver damage, even in people who do not have the metabolic risk factors typically linked to fatty liver disease.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 19, 2026

“We’re hoping she takes a ribbon in cutwork, although her lace making is progressing as well.”

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

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Related Words

• advance
• breakthrough
• development
• evolution
• growth
• headway
• improvement
• increase
• momentum
• movement
• pace
• process
• rise
• stride

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