As a noun, progress is movement toward a goal or improvement over time. As a verb, to progress means to move forward or develop toward something better.
From Latin *progressus* 'an advance', from *progredi* 'to go forward' (*pro-* 'forward' + *gradi* 'to step, walk'). It has always carried the sense of walking forward step by step.
Progress is built from the image of taking steps forward, not teleporting to success. That’s why tiny, steady improvements still count as 'progress'—you’re moving, even if it’s slow.
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