progressive

Universal Words adjective, noun adjective 1 in favour of new ideas, modern methods and change: progressive schools * The approach taken by US courts has been more progressive than that in Britain. OPPRETROGRESSIVE 2 happening or developing steadily: a progressive reduction in the size of the workforce * a progressive muscular disease 3 (also continuous) (grammar) connected with the form of a verb (for example I am waiting or It is raining) that is made from a part of be and the present participle. Progressive forms are used to express an action that continues for a period of time. progressivism noun [U]: political progressivism noun [usuallypl.] a person who is in favour of new ideas, modern methods and change: political battles between progressives and conservatives