progressive
pruh-GREH-sihv
Progressive (adj) means favoring new ideas, reform, or gradual improvement in society. Example: “The candidate ran on a progressive platform focused on healthcare reform.”
adj
1
Favoring new ideas, reform, or gradual improvement in society.
"The candidate ran on a progressive platform focused on healthcare reform."
"The town elected a progressive council keen on cycling and green energy."
"Her progressive views on education upset some of the older teachers."
2
Happening gradually or increasing steadily over time.
"The illness caused a progressive loss of muscle control."
"The doctor described a progressive decline in his hearing."
"There was a progressive improvement in her handwriting over the term."
noun
1
A person holding progressive or reformist political views.
"Progressives in the party pushed for the new climate policy."
"The progressives on the council wanted more money for public parks."
"As a lifelong progressive, he supports reform of the school system."
How to use progressive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither politically reform-minded, or steadily increasing/developing.
Common pairings
progressive politics
progressive disease
progressive tax
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Word forms
- Plural
- progressives
- Comparative
- more progressive
- Superlative
- most progressive
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The candidate ran on a _____ platform focused on healthcare reform.
Etymology
From Latin progredior ("to advance") via French progressif, plus the adjective suffix "-ive."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for progressive
See all rhymes for progressive →Frequently asked questions
What does “progressive” mean?
The word “progressive” means favoring new ideas, reform, or gradual improvement in society. In plain terms, either politically reform-minded, or steadily increasing/developing.
How do you pronounce “progressive”?
“Progressive” is pronounced pruh-GREH-sihv (/pɹəˈɡɹɛsɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “progressive” in a sentence?
Here is “progressive” used in a sentence: “The candidate ran on a progressive platform focused on healthcare reform.”
What is the opposite of “progressive”?
The opposite of “progressive” — its antonyms — are regressive, non-progressive, conservative and reactionary.
What part of speech is “progressive”?
Depending on how it is used, “progressive” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “progressive” come from?
The word “progressive” comes from Latin. From Latin progredior ("to advance") via French progressif, plus the adjective suffix "-ive.".
Is “progressive” a common word?
“Progressive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “progressive” have?
“Progressive” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: favoring new ideas, reform, or gradual improvement in society.
What is the difference between progressive and conservative?
In a political sense, progressive describes favoring new ideas, reform, and change, while conservative describes favoring tradition and caution about change. The two terms are commonly treated as opposites.
What is the difference between progressive and liberal?
Both suggest openness to reform, but progressive specifically emphasizes active support for social change and improvement, while liberal more broadly stresses individual freedom and tolerance. The terms overlap and are sometimes used interchangeably.
What is the progressive in grammar?
In grammar, the progressive (also called the continuous) is a verb form using "be" plus an "-ing" participle to show an action in progress, as in "she is reading." This grammatical sense connects to progressive's meaning of something happening gradually or continuously.
When does progressive mean gradual?
Progressive can describe something increasing steadily over time, as in "a progressive illness" or "progressive improvement." In this sense it has no political meaning and simply indicates steady, step-by-step change.
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