Words / B1

HEDW-ay/ˈhedweɪ/

Headway is progress, especially when something is slow (uncountable): make headway; little headway. Progress is the everyday twin. Do not write “a headway” or “headways”. Headway is not a road (that is highway). Pay talks: little headway on unsocial hours.

Meaning

Progress, especially when something is slow (make headway; uncountable).

Examples

• “Negotiators made little headway on unsocial-hours pay.”
• “The inquiry made headway once the emails were disclosed.”

Good to know

make / little / no headway (uncountable). Everyday: progress. Not “a headway”. Mix-up: highway. Negotiations and inquiries.

Near in meaning

progress

New