Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

progress

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

noun

  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.


verb (used without object)

  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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
progress More Idioms  

Other Word Forms

  • unprogressed adjective

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”; pro- 1, grade ) + -tus suffix of verb action

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Stalin’s forces made it to Berlin in that time, but Mr. Putin’s progress has been more modest.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even with decades of progress, one major obstacle has remained.

From Science Daily

His progress is similar to that of other freshmen given opportunities to produce immediately.

From Los Angeles Times

However, despite this promise, progress has been slowed by the lack of practical components capable of working reliably with UV-C light.

From Science Daily

An investigation by The Times found that even as the fire progressed far into the west side of town, the majority of Los Angeles County Fire Department resources remained elsewhere.

From Los Angeles Times