headway
3 synonyms for headway, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Progress made toward completing something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use headway
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
make headway
gain headway
Etymology
Partly from Old English hēafodweġ ("main road"), and partly a shortening of "ahead-way," describing forward progress.
Full origin of headway →Frequently asked questions
What does “headway” mean?
The word “headway” means progress made toward completing something. In plain terms, forward progress toward a goal, or the gap between vehicles on a route.
How do you pronounce “headway”?
“Headway” is pronounced HEHD-way (/ˈhɛdweɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “headway” in a sentence?
Here is “headway” used in a sentence: “After weeks of setbacks, the team finally made headway on the project.”
What part of speech is “headway”?
“Headway” is a noun.
Where does the word “headway” come from?
The word “headway” comes from Old English. Partly from Old English hēafodweġ ("main road"), and partly a shortening of "ahead-way," describing forward progress.
How many meanings does “headway” have?
“Headway” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: progress made toward completing something.
