English Dictionary

Define dictionary terms easily in our powerful online English dictionary.

Searching for...

No matching words found

Try a different search term or browse the dictionary

Definition progress in British English

progress noun

[uncountable] noun
/ˈprəʊɡres/

▪ considerable, great, rapid, remarkable, significant, slow, steady, substantial, tangible

▪ assess, block, chart, check, evaluate, follow, halt, hamper, hinder, impede, monitor, obstruct, review, slow, track, watch

Progress is an uncountable noun, and so:

▪ it never comes after a

▪ it is never used in the plural

✗ The 20th century has brought about a tremendous progress in science.

✓ The 20th century has brought about tremendous progress in science.

✗ During the last two centuries, technology, medicine, and psychology have made great progresses.

✓ During the last two centuries, technology, medicine, and psychology have made great progress.

Q. How can I refer to a single instance of progress, rather than to progress in general?

A. You can just use progress on its own:

They have made considerable progress.

You can also talk about an advance (advance is a countable noun) or, when referring to an action that improves a situation, a step forward:

Biochemists interested in nutrition laid the foundations for the next major advance in the treatment of cancer.

The Act was an important step forward in child protection.

Example

I'm worried about my son's lack of progress in English.

Example

Keep me informed about the progress of the project.

Example

There has not been much progress on the border issue.

Example

The party called for further progress towards democracy.

Example

Recently negotiators have made considerable progress in the talks.

Example

The documentary follows the progress of a candidate for Parliament.

Example

Government inspectors will monitor the progress of the scheme.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

relating to someone's or something's progress

Example

a progress meeting/report/review

Synonyms and related words
Example

the ship's slow progress across the harbour

Synonyms and related words
Definition progress in British English