French word

progressivement

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁogʁesivəmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbgradually

Example

La température augmente progressivement.

The temperature is gradually rising.

Illustration for progressivement (gradually)

More examples

Il apprend le français progressivement.

He is gradually learning French.

Core concept

A process unfolding in measured stages, without a sudden jump from one state to another.

Common phrases

  • augmenter progressivement

    increase gradually

  • s'améliorer progressivement

    gradually improve

  • se stabiliser progressivement

    gradually stabilize

Similar words

peu à peu: Changing little by little over a period of time.
au fur et à mesure: Happening gradually as a process or situation develops.
petit à petit: Advancing through the accumulation of small changes.
graduellement: Proceeding slowly from one stage to the next.

Definition in French

Exprime qu'une action ou un changement s'accomplit par petits degrés, sans transition brusque.

Word origin

Progressivement is the adverbial form of progressif, a word connected through learned French usage to Latin progredi, "to go forward," and its participle progressus.

Usage tips

  • English "progressively" can suggest increasing intensity, but French progressivement most directly emphasizes gradual change over time.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word