progressive
gb/pɹəɡɹˈɛsɪv/ us/pɹəɡɹˈɛsɪv/
B1
English
~ 4500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
supporting modern reforms
Wanting to make changes in society to improve it, especially to make it fairer or more modern.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is progressive
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'progressive' with 'productive'. 'Progressive' relates to change and reform, not to creating a lot of work or results.
Synonyms
liberal (Often used in a similar political sense, but can carry specific political party associations in some countries.)
|
reformist (Focuses more narrowly on advocating reforms rather than general modern thinking.)
Antonyms
conservative (Prefers traditional views and resists change.)
Collocations
progressive ideas
|progressive policies
|progressive movement
|progressive thinker
Themes
politics
|society
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The mayor is known for her progressive stance on environmental issues.
- Many young voters are drawn to progressive candidates.
- His progressive approach to education has won praise from teachers.
Learner examples
- She has progressive ideas about health care.
- The city voted for a progressive leader.
- He supports progressive changes in the law.
adjective
B2
property
2
developing step by step
Changing slowly over time instead of all at once.
Usage pattern:
a progressive [change/development/disease]
Synonyms
gradual (Very close in meaning, but without the implication of forward movement or improvement.)
Antonyms
sudden (Happening quickly rather than slowly over time.)
Collocations
progressive change
|progressive improvement
|progressive disease
Themes
time
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The disease causes a progressive loss of muscle control.
- There has been a progressive increase in housing prices.
- Her recovery was slow but progressive.
Learner examples
- The company saw a progressive rise in sales.
- He has a progressive illness.
- The changes were small but progressive.
adjective
technical
B1
relation
3
showing continuous action in grammar
Used in grammar to describe verbs that show an action happening now or over a period of time.
Usage pattern:
the progressive [tense/aspect/form]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'progressive' tense with 'perfect' tense because both can describe time-related aspects of actions.
Synonyms
continuous (In grammar, often used interchangeably with 'progressive'.)
Collocations
progressive aspect
|present progressive
|past progressive
Themes
language
|grammar
|education
|communication
Examples
- In the sentence 'She is running', the verb is in the present progressive.
- The teacher explained how to form the past progressive tense.
- Progressive forms are common in English but rare in some other languages.
Learner examples
- 'I am eating' is in the present progressive tense.
- He was reading is past progressive.
- We use the present progressive for actions happening now.
Grammar
Dictionary form
progressive
IPA
GB/pɹəɡɹˈɛsɪv/
US/pɹəɡɹˈɛsɪv/
Syllables & stress
pro - gress - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (gress)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: progressive
Word family
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
regressive
adjective
Advanced or less common
progressivism
noun C1
Expressions
past progressive
1/pˈæst pɹəɡɹˈɛsɪv/
fixed phrase
technical
past tense showing ongoing action
A verb form that shows something was happening at a certain time in the past.
Examples
- 'I was reading' is an example of the past progressive.
- We use the past progressive for actions that were happening when something else happened.
present progressive
1/pɹˈɛzənt pɹəɡɹˈɛsɪv/
fixed phrase
technical
present tense showing ongoing action
A verb form that shows something happening right now.
Examples
- 'I am reading' is an example of the present progressive.
- We use the present progressive for actions happening now.
progressive tax
1/pɹəɡɹˈɛsɪv tˈæks/
fixed phrase
tax system where higher incomes pay more
A tax system where people with higher incomes pay a higher percentage than people with lower incomes.
Examples
- Many countries use a progressive tax to reduce inequality.
- A progressive tax takes more from those who earn more.