Dictionary

1progressive

adjective pro·gres·sive \prə-ˈgre-siv\

: moving forward

: happening or developing gradually over a period of time

: using or interested in new or modern ideas especially in politics and education

Full Definition of PROGRESSIVE

1
a :  of, relating to, or characterized by progress
b :  making use of or interested in new ideas, findings, or opportunities
c :  of, relating to, or constituting an educational theory marked by emphasis on the individual child, informality of classroom procedure, and encouragement of self-expression
2
:  of, relating to, or characterized by progression
3
:  moving forward or onward :  advancing
4
a :  increasing in extent or severity <a progressive disease>
b :  increasing in rate as the base increases <a progressive tax>
5
often capitalized :  of or relating to political Progressives
6
:  of, relating to, or constituting a verb form that expresses action or state in progress at the time of speaking or a time spoken of
7
:  of, relating to, or being a multifocal lens with a gradual transition between focal lengths <progressive bifocals>
8
:  or, relating to, or using a method of video scanning (as for television or a computer monitor) in which the horizontal lines of each frame are drawn successively from top to bottom — compare interlaced
pro·gres·sive·ly adverb
pro·gres·sive·ness noun
ADVERTISEMENT

First Known Use of PROGRESSIVE

circa 1612

2progressive

noun

: a person who favors new or modern ideas especially in politics and education

Full Definition of PROGRESSIVE

1
a :  one that is progressive
b :  one believing in moderate political change and especially social improvement by governmental action
2
capitalized :  a member of any of various United States political parties: as
a :  a member of a predominantly agrarian minor party that around 1912 split off from the Republicans; specifically :  bull moose
b :  a follower of Robert M. La Follette in the presidential campaign of 1924
c :  a follower of Henry A. Wallace in the presidential campaign of 1948

First Known Use of PROGRESSIVE

1846
PROGRESSIVE Defined for Kids

progressive

adjective pro·gres·sive \prə-ˈgre-siv\

Definition of PROGRESSIVE for Kids

1
:  of, relating to, or showing advancement <a progressive city>
2
:  taking place gradually or step by step <a progressive disease>
3
:  favoring gradual political change and social improvement by action of the government
pro·gres·sive·ly adverb
Medical Dictionary

progressive

adjective pro·gres·sive \prə-ˈgres-iv\

Medical Definition of PROGRESSIVE

1
:  increasing in extent or severity <a progressive disease>
2
:  of, relating to, or being a multifocal lens with a gradual transition between focal lengths <progressive bifocals>
pro·gres·sive·ly adverb
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears