pro·gres·sive¹/prə`grɛsɪv; prəˈɡresɪv/ adj 1 supporting or using modern ideas and methods 先进的,进步的: progressive teaching methods 先进的教学方法 2 a progressive change happens gradually and continuously over a period of time 〔变化〕逐渐的; 逐步发展的: the progressive decline of the coal industry 采煤工业的逐渐衰落