The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word ADVANCE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
A
D
V
A
N
C
E
More clues leading to the result ADVANCE
- Counsel sacrifices one for an early payment
- Notice vehicle in front of church move forward
- Lead Civil Engineer, after promotion, getting rise
- A volume in Charleston, say, generates payment for author
- Money received upfront from Victor in a ball
- A header from Vardy, cracking ball — come on!
- Increase loan
- Go ahead with early March offer
- Further loan
- Progress made by one stealing fourth-rate vehicle
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Progress" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case progress = advance.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ADVANCE mean?
ADVANCE noun- A forward move; improvement or progression.
- An amount of money or credit, especially given as a loan, or paid before it is due; an advancement.
- An addition to the price; rise in price or value.
- (in the plural) An opening approach or overture, especially of an unwelcome or sexual nature.
- To promote or advantage.
- To move forward in space or time.
- To raise, be raised.
- Completed before necessary or a milestone event.
- Preceding
- Forward