Progress vs. Development: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 16, 2024
Progress implies forward or onward movement towards a destination, while development refers to the process of growing or becoming more advanced.
Key Differences
Progress often denotes the act of moving forward or advancing in a specific direction or towards a specific goal, emphasizing the journey or the act of improvement. Development, on the other hand, refers to a process of growth, expansion, or evolution, focusing more on the transformative aspect.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 16, 2024
Progress can be seen in various contexts such as personal achievements, technological advancements, or societal changes. It suggests a linear or step-by-step improvement. Development encompasses a broader scope, including physical, economic, social, or intellectual growth, and is often multifaceted.
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Jan 16, 2024
In the context of technology, progress might refer to the latest advancements or innovations, whereas development would imply the comprehensive process of research, design, and refinement that leads to these advancements.
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Jan 16, 2024
In personal terms, progress could be learning a new skill or improving in a hobby, marked by noticeable milestones. Development, in this case, would refer to overall personal growth, which might include emotional, intellectual, and skill-based advancements.
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Jan 16, 2024
In societal terms, progress often means moving towards a more advanced or equitable society, like achieving gender equality. Development, in a similar context, would refer to the broader process of societal growth, including economic, infrastructural, and cultural aspects.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 16, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Context
Can be personal, technological, societal
Includes economic, social, physical, intellectual
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Jan 16, 2024
Measurement
Marked by milestones or stages
Holistic, encompasses various dimensions
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Jan 16, 2024
Example in Technology
Introduction of a new software feature
Entire process of software engineering
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Jan 16, 2024
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Progress and Development Definitions
Progress
Improvement or development towards a more advanced state.
His progress in mathematics was remarkable this semester.
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Jan 03, 2024
Development
A specified state of growth or advancement.
The software is in its final stages of development.
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Jan 03, 2024
Progress
The process of increasing in scope or severity.
The disease's progress was halted by the new medication.
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Jan 03, 2024
Development
The process of converting land to a new purpose by constructing buildings.
The housing development provided affordable homes for many.
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Jan 03, 2024
Progress
Gradual betterment, especially of a society or an institution.
The progress of human rights over the centuries is noteworthy.
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Jan 03, 2024
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Development
The process of developing or being developed.
The development of the new city park brought the community together.
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Jan 03, 2024
Progress
Forward or onward movement, as toward a destination
We made little progress on our way home because of the traffic.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
The application of techniques or technology to the production of new goods or services.
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Jan 02, 2024
Progress
Development, advancement, or improvement, as toward a goal
The math students have shown great progress.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
The business of constructing buildings or otherwise altering land for new uses.
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Jan 02, 2024
Progress
A ceremonial journey made by a sovereign through that sovereign's realm.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
A significant event, occurrence, or change
A news story covering the latest developments in the scandal.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
A group of dwellings built by the same contractor
Bought a condo in a new development built by the river.
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Jan 02, 2024
Progress
To develop, advance, or improve
Research progressed on the new vaccine.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
The organized activity of soliciting donations or grants; fundraising.
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Jan 02, 2024
Progress
To increase in scope or severity, as a disease taking an unfavorable course.
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Jan 02, 2024
Progress
Movement or advancement through a series of events, or points in time; development through time.
Testing for the new antidote is currently in progress.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
The central section of a movement in sonata form, in which the theme is elaborated and explored.
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Jan 02, 2024
Progress
Specifically, advancement to a higher or more developed state; development, growth.
Science has made extraordinary progress in the last fifty years.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
(uncountable) The process of developing; growth, directed change.
The development of this story has been slow.
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Jan 02, 2024
Progress
An official journey made by a monarch or other high personage; a state journey, a circuit.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
The process by which a mature multicellular organism or part of an organism is produced by the addition of new cells.
The organism has reached a crucial stage in its development.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
(countable) Something which has developed.
Our news team brings you the latest developments.
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Jan 02, 2024
Progress
Movement onwards or forwards or towards a specific objective or direction; advance.
The thick branches overhanging the path made progress difficult.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
A project consisting of one or more commercial or residential buildings.
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Jan 02, 2024
Progress
(intransitive) To move, go, or proceed forward; to advance.
Visitors progress through the museum at their own pace.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
(uncountable) The application of new ideas to practical problems (cf. research).
Our development department has produced three new adhesives this year.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
The active placement of the pieces, or the process of achieving it.
White's development is good, but black's has been hampered by the pawn on e5.
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Development
(music) The process by in which previous material is transformed and restated.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
(music) The second section of a piece of music in sonata form, in which the original theme is revisited in altered and varying form.
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Jan 02, 2024
Progress
A journey of state; a circuit; especially, one made by a sovereign through parts of his own dominions.
The king being returned from his progresse.
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Jan 02, 2024
Progress
To make progress; to move forward in space; to continue onward in course; to proceed; to advance; to go on; as, railroads are progressing.
Let me wipe off this honorable dew,That silverly doth progress on thy checks.
They progress in that style in proportion as their pieces are treated with contempt.
The war had progressed for some time.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
The act of developing or disclosing that which is unknown; a gradual unfolding process by which anything is developed, as a plan or method, or an image upon a photographic plate; gradual advancement or growth through a series of progressive changes; also, the result of developing, or a developed state.
A new development of imagination, taste, and poetry.
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Jan 02, 2024
Progress
To make improvement; to advance.
If man progresses, art must progress too.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
The series of changes which animal and vegetable organisms undergo in their passage from the embryonic state to maturity, from a lower to a higher state of organization.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
The act or process of changing or expanding an expression into another of equivalent value or meaning.
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Jan 02, 2024
Progress
Gradual improvement or growth or development;
Advancement of knowledge
Great progress in the arts
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
The elaboration of a theme or subject; the unfolding of a musical idea; the evolution of a whole piece or movement from a leading theme or motive.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
A tract of land on which a number of buildings have been constructed; - especially used for tract on which from two to hundreds of houses have been constructed by a commercial developer{4} for sale to individuals.
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
Act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining;
He congratulated them on their development of a plan to meet the emergency
They funded research and development
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Jan 02, 2024
Progress
Develop in a positive way;
He progressed well in school
My plants are coming along
Plans are shaping up
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
A process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage);
The development of his ideas took many years
The evolution of Greek civilization
The slow development of her skill as a writer
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
A recent event that has some relevance for the present situation;
Recent developments in Iraq
What a revolting development!
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Progress
Form or accumulate steadily;
Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly
Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border
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Development
The act of making some area of land or water more profitable or productive or useful;
The development of Alaskan resources
The exploitation of copper deposits
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Jan 02, 2024
Progress
Movement towards an intended target.
The project showed significant progress after the new manager took over.
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Jan 03, 2024
Development
A district that has been developed to serve some purpose;
Such land is practical for small park developments
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Jan 02, 2024
Progress
A forward or onward movement.
The march for equality represented significant social progress.
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Jan 03, 2024
Development
A state in which things are improving; the result of developing (as in the early part of a game of chess);
After he saw the latest development he changed his mind and became a supporter
In chess your should take care of your development before moving your queen
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level;
He proposed an indicator of osseous development in children
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
Processing a photosensitive material in order to make an image visible;
The development and printing of his pictures took only two hours
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Jan 02, 2024
Development
A new and refined product or idea.
The latest development in renewable energy technology is promising.
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Jan 03, 2024
Development
An event constituting a new stage in a changing situation.
The unexpected development in the case surprised the detectives.
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Jan 03, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does development mean?
A process of growth, evolution, or transformation.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 16, 2024
What are the types of development?
Physical, economic, social, intellectual.
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Jan 16, 2024
What is an example of development in business?
Expansion of a company into new markets.
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Jan 16, 2024
What is an example of progress in technology?
Advancements in smartphone capabilities.
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Jan 16, 2024
Is development always a long process?
Often, but it can also occur rapidly under certain conditions.
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Jan 16, 2024
What is the difference between "development" and "growth"?
Growth typically refers to an increase in size, whereas development encompasses growth along with qualitative improvements.
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Jan 16, 2024
Can development occur without progress?
In some cases, development may involve progress, but they are not always synonymous; development can also include non-linear and complex changes.
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Jan 16, 2024
Is development always positive?
Not necessarily, as it can have negative impacts.
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Jan 16, 2024
Can progress exist without development?
Yes, as progress can be a part of development but doesn't always result in overall growth.
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Jan 16, 2024
Is "sustainable development" a common term?
Yes, sustainable development refers to a development approach that considers environmental, social, and economic factors for long-term well-being.
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Jan 16, 2024
What is the opposite of "progress"?
The opposite of progress is regress, which means to move backward or decline.
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Jan 16, 2024
Is "progress" subjective?
Yes, the perception of progress can vary from person to person based on individual goals and values.
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Jan 16, 2024
Are there different types of development?
Yes, there are various types of development, including personal development, economic development, and community development.
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Jan 16, 2024
Can "development" be measured?
Yes, development can be measured using indicators such as GDP growth, educational attainment, and life expectancy.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 16, 2024
Can "progress" be measured?
Yes, progress can be measured using various metrics, depending on the specific context.
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Jan 16, 2024
Are there any synonyms for "progress"?
Yes, synonyms include advancement, growth, development, and improvement.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 16, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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