Progressively

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /pɹəˈɡɹɛsɪvli/

Definitions

1. Happening or developing by gradual degrees or incremental steps over a period of time in a continuous manner
2. Taking place in a manner that advances steadily through successive stages or improvements over time
3. Occurring in a way that promotes continuous enhancement or evolution, advancing step by step

Etymology: "Progressively" is "progressive" plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly," and the suffix is the more interesting half of the story. It descends from a Proto-Germanic word meaning "body" or "form," which appears in Old English as "-līċ," used to turn nouns and adjectives into descriptions of manner or appearance. Over the centuries that suffix was compressed into Middle English "-ly" and became one of the most productive tools in English, so that almost any adjective can now be given an adverbial form. The base word, "progressive," comes from Latin "progressus," meaning a going forward, and carries the sense of advancing step by step. Attaching "-ly" gives the adverb its meaning: something happens in a forward-moving sequence of stages rather than all at once. The word's core idea is therefore movement across time, with the suffix supplying the manner in which that movement occurs.

Synonyms: gradually, incrementally, continuously, steadily, systematically

Antonyms: suddenly, abruptly, immediately, instantly, quickly