prolific
adjective
pro·lif·ic
prə-ˈli-fik 
1
: producing young or fruit especially freely : fruitful
2
archaic
: causing abundant growth, generation, or reproduction
3
: marked by abundant inventiveness or productivity
a prolific composer
Synonyms
Examples of prolific in a Sentence
Since [David] Mamet is a prolific writer of Hollywood screenplays, there are today more people who know his work than know that they know it.
—
Juliet Fleming, Times Literary Supplement, 18 Feb. 2000
The main rival to his pneumonia was the prolific thrush which went into his throat and stomach.
—Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting, 1993
A writer as established and prolific as Joyce Carol Oates can approach her material in a wealth of ways unavailable to the more plodding.
—Jane Smiley, New York Times Book Review, 5 May 1991
Here there are La restaurants, wine bars, bookshops, estate agents more prolific than doctors, and attractive people in black, few of them aging.
—Hanif Kureishi, Granta 22, Autumn 1987
a famously prolific author who could produce several works of fiction and nonfiction a year
Juliet Fleming, Times Literary Supplement, 18 Feb. 2000
The main rival to his pneumonia was the prolific thrush which went into his throat and stomach.
—Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting, 1993
A writer as established and prolific as Joyce Carol Oates can approach her material in a wealth of ways unavailable to the more plodding.
—Jane Smiley, New York Times Book Review, 5 May 1991
Here there are La restaurants, wine bars, bookshops, estate agents more prolific than doctors, and attractive people in black, few of them aging.
—Hanif Kureishi, Granta 22, Autumn 1987
a famously prolific author who could produce several works of fiction and nonfiction a year
Recent Examples on the Web
Ten years ago, John Wick co-director Chad Stahelski helped give birth to one of cinema’s most prolific assassins and, in turn, one of the industry’s most unlikely franchises.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Oct. 2024
Related Articles Breakaway Music Festival plans a comeback to Allianz Field in June 2025
Obituary: Jerry Fearing, prolific cartoonist for the Pioneer Press and illustrator, was mentor to other artists
Joe Soucheray: We all like children.
—Maddie Robinson, Twin Cities, 20 Oct. 2024
The twisters tallied so far make Milton, which slammed Florida’s Siesta Key on Oct. 9, one of the more prolific tornado-producing storms on record in the modern era, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2024
Another priest, Father Michael Baker — one of the church’s most prolific abusers — had been accused of molesting at least 40 boys during his decades in the priesthood.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prolific 
Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Oct. 2024
Related Articles Breakaway Music Festival plans a comeback to Allianz Field in June 2025
Obituary: Jerry Fearing, prolific cartoonist for the Pioneer Press and illustrator, was mentor to other artists
Joe Soucheray: We all like children.
—Maddie Robinson, Twin Cities, 20 Oct. 2024
The twisters tallied so far make Milton, which slammed Florida’s Siesta Key on Oct. 9, one of the more prolific tornado-producing storms on record in the modern era, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2024
Another priest, Father Michael Baker — one of the church’s most prolific abusers — had been accused of molesting at least 40 boys during his decades in the priesthood.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prolific
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prolific.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near prolific
Cite this Entry
“Prolific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prolific. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prolific
adjective
pro·lif·ic
prə-ˈlif-ik
1
: producing young or fruit in large numbers
a prolific orchard
2
: highly inventive : productive
a prolific writer
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