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

• constructive
• formative

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

This is the kind of productive conflict that helps make good relationships work! —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024

Flexibility is key to maintaining a positive and productive working relationship, whether that means stepping up with more contributions or pulling back to ensure balance. —Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

The Hundred and Eighteenth Congress, which is by some measures one of the least productive since the Civil War, began with a Republican majority of nine seats. —The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024

Having any kind of conversation on delicate or divisive issues, let alone a civil and productive one, can be a huge challenge for many of us. —Andrea Kane, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing productive

• hyper-productive

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