Word
proceed
Phoneticspro·ceed, stress on the second syllable
US/pɝˈsid/
UK/pɹəsˈiːd/
Definitions
01to continue
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to continue doing something that has already started.
v. to continue with a course of action or a task already initiated. Often used with the preposition 'with'.
Español:continuar
“After the short break, the manager asked us to proceed with the meeting.”
“The board of directors decided to proceed with the merger despite the concerns raised by the legal department regarding international regulations.”
Usage
Commonly followed by 'with' plus a noun phrase.
02to move forward
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to move in a particular direction.
v. to move forward or onwards, especially after stopping. Intransitive; typically followed by a prepositional phrase of direction.
日本語:行く※
“Passengers for the flight to London should proceed to gate twelve immediately.”
“The hikers were instructed to proceed along the marked trail until they reached the base camp located near the northern ridge.”
Usage
Usually takes the preposition 'to' or 'along'.
03to come from
C1 · Advanced Academic · Formal
v. to happen or start as a result of something else.
v. to arise or originate from a specific source. Often used in academic or technical contexts to describe causality.
“The problems in the company proceed from a lack of clear communication.”
“The researchers argued that the observed chemical changes proceed from the interaction between the catalyst and the ambient moisture.”
Usage
Typically takes the preposition 'from'.
04legal action
C1 · Advanced Law Formal · Technical
v. to start or continue a legal case against someone.
v. to initiate or carry on legal action or a formal judicial process.
“The victim decided to proceed against the company for negligence.”
“The crown prosecutor determined there was sufficient evidence to proceed against the defendant on all three counts of fraud.”
Usage
Often used with 'against' when referring to a person or entity being sued.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “proceed” in context.
Noun
01. analysis proceed
“We must wait for the data analysis to proceed before we can draw any final conclusions.”
noun + verb
02. research proceed
“The committee recommended that the medical research proceed under strict supervision.”
noun + verb
Confusables
Precede means to come before in time or order, while proceed means to continue or move forward.
RememberPrecede starts with 'pre' (before); Proceed starts with 'pro' (forward).
Real-World Examples
“Seoul said the drills with the US would proceed "as scheduled".” “In many cases, local health departments or environmental agencies must review testing results before rebuilding can proceed.” “Although he’d only heard it once, he proceeded to sing it himself with a “depth of feeling that had been missing” from the other singer’s performance, Lord recalled in The Singer of Tales .” Etymology
From Middle English proceden, from Old French proceder, from Latin prōcēdō (“to go forth, go forward, advance”), from prō (“forth”) + cēdō (“to go”); see cede.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/proceed
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0