proceed
pruh-SEED
Proceed (verb) means to move forward or continue on, especially after a pause. Example: “After a short break, the speaker proceeded to the next part of her talk.”
verb
1
To move forward or continue on, especially after a pause.
"After a short break, the speaker proceeded to the next part of her talk."
"Please proceed to gate 12 for boarding."
"Once the paperwork was signed, they proceeded with the sale."
2
To take legal action against someone.
"The landlord threatened to proceed against the tenant if the rent stayed unpaid."
"If the builders ignore the contract, we may have to proceed against them."
"The bank decided to proceed against the company for unpaid debts."
How to use proceed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo carry on or move ahead with something, often after a stop or a decision.
Common mistake
Proceed is more formal than "go ahead" or "continue" — it suits instructions, ceremonies, and legal or official contexts.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
proceed with caution
proceed to the next stage
proceed against someone
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- proceeds
- Past tense
- proceeded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
After a short break, the speaker _____ to the next part of her talk.
Etymology
From Old French proceder, from Latin prōcēdō, "to go forward" — from prō ("forth") + cēdō ("to go").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for proceed
See all rhymes for proceed →Frequently asked questions
What does “proceed” mean?
The word “proceed” means to move forward or continue on, especially after a pause. In plain terms, to carry on or move ahead with something, often after a stop or a decision.
How do you pronounce “proceed”?
“Proceed” is pronounced pruh-SEED (/pɹəˈsid/ in IPA).
How do you use “proceed” in a sentence?
Here is “proceed” used in a sentence: “Please proceed to gate 12 for boarding.”
What is another word for “proceed”?
Words with a similar meaning to “proceed” include progress, forthgo, carry on, continue, go on and keep on.
What is the opposite of “proceed”?
The opposite of “proceed” — its antonyms — are regress, recede, desist, end and stop.
What part of speech is “proceed”?
“Proceed” is a verb.
Where does the word “proceed” come from?
The word “proceed” comes from Latin. From Old French proceder, from Latin prōcēdō, "to go forward" — from prō ("forth") + cēdō ("to go").
Is “proceed” a common word?
“Proceed” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "proceed" and "precede"?
"Proceed" means to move forward or continue on, while "precede" means to come before something in time or order. They sound similar and are often confused, but an event that precedes another happens first, whereas to proceed is to go onward.
What is the difference between "proceed" and "proceeds"?
"Proceed" is a verb meaning to move forward or continue, while "proceeds" is a noun (stressed on the first syllable) meaning the money gained from a sale or event. For example, you proceed with a plan, but you donate the proceeds from a concert.
When should you use "proceed" instead of "continue"?
"Proceed" often suggests moving forward after a pause or a formal step, and it can sound more formal than "continue." "Continue" simply means to keep going without stopping, so "proceed to the next platform" implies an onward action, while "continue reading" implies not breaking off.
Is "proceed forward" redundant?
"Proceed forward" is generally considered redundant because "proceed" already means to move forward. In careful writing, "proceed" alone is preferred, although the fuller phrase is common in casual speech.
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