regress
Regress (verb) means to move backward to an earlier, less developed stage. Example: “Under stress, some adults regress and start acting childishly.”
How to use regress
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo go backward or fall back to how things were before, instead of moving forward.
Word forms
regressed past tense, regresses plural, regresses singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Under stress, some adults _____ and start acting childishly.
Etymology
From Latin regressus, past participle of regredior, "to go back" (re- + gradior, "to step, go").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for regress
See all rhymes for regress →Frequently asked questions
What does “regress” mean?
The word “regress” means to move backward to an earlier, less developed stage. In plain terms, to go backward or fall back to how things were before, instead of moving forward.
How do you pronounce “regress”?
“Regress” is pronounced REE-grehs (/ˈɹiːˌɡɹɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “regress” in a sentence?
Here is “regress” used in a sentence: “Under stress, some adults regress and start acting childishly.”
What is another word for “regress”?
Words with a similar meaning to “regress” include retrogress.
What part of speech is “regress”?
Depending on how it is used, “regress” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “regress” come from?
The word “regress” comes from Latin. From Latin regressus, past participle of regredior, "to go back" (re- + gradior, "to step, go").
How many meanings does “regress” have?
“Regress” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move backward to an earlier, less developed stage.