ENGLISH
REFERENCE

headway

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈhɛdˌweɪ// UK //hˈɛdweɪ// head·way

n. progress that you make toward a goal, especially when it is difficult or taking a long time.

n. forward progress or advancement, particularly in a situation where movement is slow or obstructed.


SIMPLE

We are finally making some headway with the project.

CONTEXTUAL

After hours of difficult negotiations, the two sides finally made some headway on the new trade agreement.

COMPLEX

Despite the initial resistance from the local community, the developers have made significant headway in securing the necessary permits for the renewable energy site.

Synonyms
Origin

Partly from Middle English hauedwei, from Old English hēafodweġ (“head-road, main-road”); partly as a shortening of ahead-way, the source of the nautical sense. By surface analysis, head + way.

Usage

Almost exclusively used with the verb 'make'.

Pitfall

we did some headwaywe made some headwayHeadway collocations require the verb 'make', not 'do'.

Idioms1 entry

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