productive

adjective

pro·​duc·​tive prə-ˈdək-tiv 

prō-

1

: having the quality or power of producing especially in abundance

productive fishing waters

2

: effective in bringing about

… investigating committees have been productive of much good …

—R. K. Carr

3

a

: yielding results, benefits, or profits

b

: yielding or devoted to the satisfaction of wants or the creation of utilities

4

: continuing to be used in the formation of new words or constructions

un- is a productive prefix

5

: raising mucus or sputum (as from the bronchi)

a productive cough

productively adverb

productiveness noun

Synonyms of productive

• creative
• constructive

Examples of productive in a Sentence

I had a very productive day.

I am most productive in the morning.

Some staff members are more productive than others.

Recent Examples on the Web

The end of a life as long and productive as Habermas’s can’t be called a tragedy. —Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026

Gibson, arguably the most productive offensive returner in the Fort Worth-area, rushed for 2,263 yards and 41 TDs as a junior en route to Star-Telegram All-Area First Team honors. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 May 2026

While that may seem like a vast expanse when starting with tiny seedlings, know that these productive plants will spread several feet by the end of the season. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2026

Thomas was productive in college, a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection last year after collecting 6 1/2 sacks and 9 1/2 tackles for loss in 10 games. —Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing productive

• hyper-productive

Rhymes for productive

• abductive
• conductive
• constructive
• deductive
• destructive
• inductive
• instructive
• obstructive
• reductive
• seductive
• counterproductive
• photoconductive

Kids Definition

productive

adjective

pro·​duc·​tive prə-ˈdək-tiv 

1

: having the power to produce plentifully

productive soil

productive fishing waters

2

: producing something

efforts productive of much good

3

: giving results

a productive meeting

productively adverb

productiveness noun

Medical Definition

productive

adjective

pro·​duc·​tive prə-ˈdək-tiv, prō- 

: raising mucus or sputum (as from the bronchi)

a productive cough