Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense progresses, present participle progressing, past tense, past participle progressedpronunciation note: The noun is pronounced (proʊgres, US prɑː-). The verb is pronounced (prəgres).
1. uncountable noun
Progress is the process of gradually improving or getting nearer to achieving or completing something.
The medical community continues to make progress in the fight against cancer.
The two sides made little if any progress towards agreement.
Synonyms: development, increase, growth, advance More Synonyms of progress
2. singular noun
Theprogressof a situation or action is the way in which it develops.
The CEO is reported to have been delighted with the progress of the first day's talks. [+ of]
Ellen would keep me abreast of the progress by phone.
3. verb
To progress means to move over a period of time to a stronger, more advanced, or more desirable state.
He will visit once a fortnight to see how his new staff are progressing. [VERB]
Were you surprised that his disease progressed so quickly? [VERB]
He started with sketching and then progressed to painting. [VERB + to]
4. verb
If events progress, they continue to happen gradually over a period of time.
As the evening progressed, sadness turned to rage. [VERB]
Life was hard, and it became harder as the war progressed. [VERB]
5. verb
If you progress something, you cause it to develop.
[formal]
Very little was done to progress the case in the first 10 or so months after K wascharged. [VERB noun]
6.
See in progress
More Synonyms of progress
progress in British English
noun (ˈprəʊɡrɛs)
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. British
a stately royal journey
7. in progress
verb (prəˈɡrɛs)
8. (intransitive)
to move forwards or onwards, as towards a place or objective
9.
to move towards or bring nearer to completion, maturity, or perfection
Word origin
C15: from Latin prōgressus a going forwards, from prōgredī to advance, from pro-1 + gradī to step
progress in American English
(ˈprɑgrɛs; ˈprɑærəs; Chiefly British and Canadian ˈproʊˌgrɛs; for v. proʊˈgrɛs; prəˈgrɛs)
noun
1.
a moving forward or onward
2.
forward course; development
3.
advance toward perfection or to a higher or better state; improvement
4. Rare
an official journey, as of a sovereign
verb intransitiveWord forms: proˈgress
5.
to move forward or onward
6.
to move forward toward completion, a goal, etc.
7.
to advance toward perfection or to a higher or better state; improve
Idioms:
in progress
Word origin
ME progresse < L progressus, pp. of progredi < pro-, before + gradi, to step, go: see pro-2 & grade
COBUILD Collocations
progress
make progress
rapid progress
swift progress
technological progress
Examples of 'progress' in a sentence
progress
Friendships are a hot topic and ambitions you share make real progress.
The Sun (2017)
To say progress has been slow would be flattering it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The trust has made significant progress this year.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Couple that with the amazing recent progress on cancer.
The Sun (2016)
At work you make progress by checking the facts for yourself instead of listening to gossip.
The Sun (2016)
He is progressing unbelievably well and long may it continue.
The Sun (2016)
The procedure is costly and the disease has often progressed too far by the time symptoms appear.
The Sun (2017)
Over the years we have made good progress in reducing discrimination.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This brings progress in joint projects at work and at home.
The Sun (2017)
Other studies have shown antioxidants hasten lung cancer progress.
The Sun (2015)
This should bring progress at work and with complex home plans.
The Sun (2011)
There is also to be better tracking of individual progress.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The power cuts are expected to progress gradually.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
So thick was the throng that their progress slowed to one mile an hour.
Diane Purkiss The English Civil War: A People's History (2006)
We tend to worship groups who progress.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This will enable us to make progress at twice the pace.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
When the gorilla was not there it signalled that a fight was in progress.
Aidan Hartley THE ZANZIBAR CHEST: A Memoir of Love and War (2003)
We have continued to make strong progress in key growth areas of our business.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
What stands in the way of progress?
Kishlansky, Mark A. (editor) Sources of the West: Readings in Western Civilization, Volume 1: From the Beginningto 1715 (1995)
You add common sense to imagination and make real progress.
The Sun (2009)
We need more time to finish the job but we are making good progress.
The Sun (2014)
Until that changes there will be little progress against poverty or inequality.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The coast line on this side of the bay softened as our journey progressed.
Edward Beauclerk Maurice THE LAST OF THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS: Coming of Age in the Arctic (2004)
We have made significant progress on the key issues.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The character of the town altered and adjusted as the day progressed.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We will be in touch with the hospital soon to find out how our case is progressing.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Medical progress has heaped upon us huge responsibilities and profound dilemmas.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
She was progressing well in midsummer in better races than this until disappointing two months ago.
The Sun (2014)
Progress against the diseases of affluence is sadly slower.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We lose the opportunity to continue such progress if we weaken our commitment to the green belt.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This is not the time to be progressing yet more draconian cuts to police budgets.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
These qualities were needed where there was no give and take, no movement and littleprogress.
Hebblethwaite, Peter Paul VI - The First Modern Pope (1993)
There are still cancers where progress is limited, such as brain and bone tumours.
The Sun (2015)
Evolution, progress and excellence cannot happen without competition, and competition has no meaning without losers.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Quotations
Printing, gunpowder, and the magnet... these three have changed the whole face and state of things throughout the worldFrancis BaconEssays
What we call progress is the exchange of one nuisance for another nuisanceHavelock EllisImpressions and Comments
Perhaps the best definition of progress would be the continuing efforts of men and women to narrow the gap between the convenience of the powers that be and the unwritten charterNadine GordimerSpeak Out: The Necessity of Protest
You can't say civilization don't advance, however, for in every war they kill you in a new wayWill Rogers
That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankindNeil Armstrongon his first steps on the moon's surface
One step at a time
In other languages
progress
British English: progress /ˈprəʊɡrɛs/ NOUN
Progress is the process of gradually improving or getting nearer to achieving or completing something.
There are signs of progress in the boy's reading.
American English: progress
Arabic: تَقَدُم
Brazilian Portuguese: progresso
Chinese: 进展
Croatian: napredak
Czech: pokrok
Danish: fremskridt
Dutch: voortgang
European Spanish: progreso
Finnish: edistys
French: progrès
German: Fortschritt
Greek: πρόοδος
Italian: progresso
Japanese: 進歩
Korean: 진행
Norwegian: framskritt
Polish: postęp
European Portuguese: progresso
Romanian: progres
Russian: прогресс
Latin American Spanish: progreso
Swedish: framsteg
Thai: ความก้าวหน้า
Turkish: ilerleme
Ukrainian: прогрес
Vietnamese: tiến bộ
British English: progress VERB
To progress means to move over a period of time to a stronger, more advanced, or more desirable state.
He will visit once a fortnight to see how his new staff are progressing.
American English: progress
Brazilian Portuguese: progredir
Chinese: 进展
European Spanish: progresar
French: progresser
German: vorankommen
Italian: progredire
Japanese: 向上する
Korean: 진전되다
European Portuguese: progredir
Latin American Spanish: progresar
All related terms of 'progress'
in progress
If something is in progress , it has started and is still continuing .
make progress
Progress is the process of gradually improving or getting nearer to achieving or completing something.
onward progress
progress that advances or improves (a situation, etc)
progress board
a department of an organization, company, etc, that oversees and ensures progress , advance or development
progress chaser
a person employed to make sure at each stage, esp of a manufacturing process, that a piece of work is on schedule and is delivered to the customer on time
progress report
an (often official ) report concerning how something is advancing or progressing
rapid progress
Progress is the process of gradually improving or getting nearer to achieving or completing something.
swift progress
Progress is the process of gradually improving or getting nearer to achieving or completing something.
Pilgrim's Progress
a religious allegory by John Bunyan (1678)
progress payment
an instalment of a larger payment made to a contractor for work carried out up to a specified stage of the job
technological progress
Progress is the process of gradually improving or getting nearer to achieving or completing something.
work-in-progress
In book-keeping , work-in-progress refers to the monetary value of work that has not yet been paid for because it has not yet been completed.
WPA
Work Projects Administration or Works Progress Administration
to make progress (with sth)(对(對)某事)取得进(進)步 ((duì mǒushì) qǔdé jìnbù)
in progress (meeting, battle, match) 正在进(進)展中 (zhèngzài jìnzhǎn zhōng)
1 (noun)
Definition
improvement or development
The two sides made little progress towards agreement.The doctors say they are pleased with her progress.
Synonyms
development
the development of the embryo
increase
a sharp increase in productivity
growth
enormous economic growth
advance
These two vaccines are a huge advance for preventing cancer.
gain
House prices showed a gain of nearly 8% in June.
improvement
the dramatic improvements in conditions
promotion
dedicated to the promotion of new ideas and research
breakthrough
The breakthrough came hours before a UN deadline.
step forward
advancement
He cared little for social advancement.
progression
headway
betterment
His research is for the betterment of humankind.
amelioration
a demand for amelioration of conditions
Opposites
decline
,
failure
,
recession
, relapse,
regression
,
retrogression
2 (noun)
Definition
movement forward or advance
The road was too rough for further progress in the car.
Synonyms
movement forward
passage
the passage of troops through Spain
advancement
her work for the advancement of the status of women
progression
Both drugs slow the progression of the disease.
course
a series of naval battles which altered the course of history
advance
They simulated an advance on enemy positions.
headway
Police were making little headway in the investigation.
onward movement
Opposites
movement backward
,
regression
,
retrogression
1 (verb)
Definition
to move forward
He progressed slowly along the coast in an easterly direction.
Synonyms
move on
continue
As the investigation continued, the plot began to thicken.
travel
You can travel to Helsinki tomorrow.
advance
Rebel forces are advancing on the capital.
proceed
She proceeded along the hallway.
go forward
gain ground
forge ahead
make inroads (into)
make headway
make your way
cover ground
make strides
gather way
crack on (informal)
Opposites
move back
,
recede
,
get behind
,
regress
,
retrogress
2 (verb)
Definition
to become more advanced or skilful
He came round to see how our work was progressing.
Synonyms
develop
Children develop at different rates.
improve
He improved their house.
advance
The country has advanced from a rural society to an industrial power.
better
Our parents came here with the hope of bettering themselves.
increase
The population continues to increase.
grow
The economy continues to grow.
gain
get on
I asked how he was getting on.
come on
He is coming on very well at the violin.
mature
young people who have not yet matured
blossom
Why do some people take longer than others to blossom?
roll up
ameliorate
Nothing can be done to ameliorate the situation.
Opposites
get behind
,
lose ground
,
regress
,
retrogress
phrase
See in progress
Quotations
Printing, gunpowder, and the magnet... these three have changed the whole face and state of things throughout the world [Francis Bacon – Essays]What we call progress is the exchange of one nuisance for another nuisance [Havelock Ellis – Impressions and Comments]Perhaps the best definition of progress would be the continuing efforts of men and women to narrow the gap between the convenience of the powers that be and the unwritten charter [Nadine Gordimer – Speak Out: The Necessity of Protest]You can't say civilization don't advance, however, for in every war they kill you in a new way [Will Rogers]That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind [Neil Armstrong – on his first steps on the moon's surface]
proverb
One step at a time
Additional synonyms
in the sense of advance
Definition
improvement or progress
These two vaccines are a huge advance for preventing cancer.
Synonyms
improvement,
development,
gain,
growth,
breakthrough,
advancement,
step,
headway,
inroads,
betterment,
furtherance,
forward movement,
amelioration,
onward movement
in the sense of advance
They simulated an advance on enemy positions.
Synonyms
attack,
charge,
strike,
rush,
assault,
raid,
invasion,
offensive,
onslaught,
advancement,
foray,
incursion,
forward movement,
onward movement
in the sense of advance
Definition
to make progress
Rebel forces are advancing on the capital.
Synonyms
progress,
proceed,
go ahead,
move up,
come forward,
go forward,
press on,
gain ground,
make inroads,
make headway,
make your way,
cover ground,
make strides,
move onward
Synonyms of 'progress'
progress
Explore 'progress' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of advance
The country has advanced from a rural society to an industrial power.
Synonyms
improve,
rise,
grow,
develop,
reform,
pick up,
progress,
thrive,
upgrade,
multiply,
prosper,
make strides
in the sense of advancement
Definition
promotion in rank or status
He cared little for social advancement.
Synonyms
promotion,
rise,
gain,
growth,
advance,
progress,
improvement,
betterment,
preferment,
amelioration
in the sense of advancement
her work for the advancement of the status of women
Synonyms
progress,
advance,
headway,
forward movement,
onward movement
in the sense of ameliorate
Definition
to make (something) better
Nothing can be done to ameliorate the situation.
Synonyms
improve,
better,
benefit,
reform,
advance,
promote,
amend,
elevate,
raise,
mend,
mitigate,
make better,
assuage,
meliorate
in the sense of amelioration
a demand for amelioration of conditions
Synonyms
improvement,
advance,
recovery,
amendment,
correction,
enhancement,
change for the better,
upswing,
betterment,
melioration
in the sense of better
Definition
to improve upon
Our parents came here with the hope of bettering themselves.
Synonyms
improve,
further,
raise,
forward,
reform,
advance,
promote,
correct,
enhance,
upgrade,
amend,
mend,
rectify,
augment,
ameliorate,
meliorate
in the sense of betterment
Definition
improvement
His research is for the betterment of humankind.
Synonyms
improvement,
gain,
advancement,
enhancement,
edification,
amelioration,
melioration
in the sense of blossom
Why do some people take longer than others to blossom?
Synonyms
develop,
bloom,
grow,
mature
in the sense of breakthrough
Definition
a significant development or discovery
The breakthrough came hours before a UN deadline.
Synonyms
development,
advance,
progress,
improvement,
discovery,
find,
finding,
invention,
step forward,
leap forwards,
turn of events,
quantum leap
in the sense of come on
Definition
to make progress
He is coming on very well at the violin.
Synonyms
progress,
develop,
improve,
advance,
proceed,
make headway
Additional synonyms
in the sense of continue
Definition
to go on to a further place
As the investigation continued, the plot began to thicken.
Synonyms
go on,
advance,
progress,
proceed,
carry on,
keep going,
crack on (informal)
in the sense of course
Definition
an onward movement in time or space
a series of naval battles which altered the course of history
Synonyms
progression,
order,
unfolding,
development,
movement,
advance,
progress,
flow,
sequence,
succession,
continuity,
advancement,
furtherance,
march
in the sense of gain
House prices showed a gain of nearly 8% in June.
Synonyms
rise,
increase,
growth,
advance,
improvement,
upsurge,
upturn,
increment,
upswing
in the sense of get on
Definition
to make progress
I asked how he was getting on.
Synonyms
progress,
manage,
cope,
fare,
advance,
succeed,
make out (informal),
prosper,
cut it (informal),
get along
in the sense of grow
The economy continues to grow.
Synonyms
improve,
advance,
progress,
succeed,
expand,
thrive,
flourish,
prosper
in the sense of growth
Definition
an increase in size, number, or significance
enormous economic growth
Synonyms
progress,
success,
improvement,
expansion,
advance,
prosperity,
advancement
in the sense of headway
Definition
progress towards achieving something
Police were making little headway in the investigation.
Synonyms
progress,
ground,
inroads,
strides
in the sense of improve
Definition
to make or become better in quality
He improved their house.
Synonyms
enhance,
better,
add to,
upgrade,
amend,
mend,
augment,
embellish,
touch up,
ameliorate,
polish up
in the sense of improvement
Definition
the act of improving or the state of being improved
the dramatic improvements in conditions
Synonyms
enhancement,
increase,
gain,
boost,
amendment,
correction,
heightening,
advancement,
enrichment,
face-lift,
embellishment,
betterment,
rectification,
augmentation,
amelioration
in the sense of increase
Definition
the amount by which something increases
a sharp increase in productivity
Synonyms
growth,
rise,
boost,
development,
gain,
addition,
expansion,
extension,
heightening,
proliferation,
enlargement,
escalation,
upsurge,
upturn,
increment,
bounce,
intensification,
step-up (informal),
augmentation,
aggrandizement
Additional synonyms
in the sense of increase
Definition
to make or become greater in size, degree, or frequency
The population continues to increase.
Synonyms
grow,
develop,
spread,
mount,
expand,
build up,
swell,
wax,
enlarge,
escalate,
multiply,
fill out,
get bigger,
proliferate,
snowball,
dilate
in the sense of mature
Definition
to make or become mature
young people who have not yet matured
Synonyms
develop,
grow up,
bloom,
blossom,
come of age,
become adult,
age,
reach adulthood,
maturate
in the sense of passage
Definition
the act of passing from one place or condition to another
the passage of troops through Spain
Synonyms
movement,
passing,
advance,
progress,
flow,
motion,
transit,
progression
in the sense of proceed
Definition
to walk or go
She proceeded along the hallway.
Synonyms
go on,
continue,
advance,
progress,
carry on,
go ahead,
move on,
move forward,
press on,
push on,
make your way,
crack on (informal)
in the sense of progression
Definition
the act of progressing
Both drugs slow the progression of the disease.
Synonyms
progress,
advance,
advancement,
gain,
headway,
furtherance,
movement forward
in the sense of promotion
dedicated to the promotion of new ideas and research
Synonyms
encouragement,
backing,
support,
development,
progress,
boosting,
advancement,
advocacy,
cultivation,
espousal,
furtherance,
boosterism
in the sense of travel
Definition
to go or journey through or across (an area, region, etc.)