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

Developing a new productive capacity takes time, so senior executives who have a wait and see attitude may find themselves on the wrong side of an experience curve that will be hard to compete with. —John Sviokla, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024

Pedroia’s last productive season came in 2017, when he was limited to 105 games due to left knee soreness thanks in part to the infamous play where Manny Machado spiked him during a close play at second base. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024

After a few more productive hunts the Power Shakers became my new favorite decoys of the year. —Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 19 Dec. 2024

The mayor said his conversation with the border czar was productive. —Jackson Walker, Baltimore Sun, 18 Dec. 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