Synonyms of prolific

prolific

adjective

prə-ˈli-fik 

as in fertile

producing abundantly

a famously prolific author who could produce several works of fiction and nonfiction a year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fertile
• rich
• productive
• fruitful
• creative
• fecund
• lush
• abundant
• inventive
• generative
• generous
• producing
• plentiful
• luxuriant
• cornucopian
• fructuous
• bountiful
• fat
• copious
• bearing
• thriving
• yielding
• liberal
• original
• flourishing
• bursting
• blooming
• plenteous
• abounding
• teeming
• swarming
• plenitudinous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unproductive
• dead
• sterile
• barren
• infertile
• unfruitful
• sparse
• unfertile
• meager
• scanty
• scant
• spare
• meagre
• skimpy
• skimp

Synonym Chooser

How is the word prolific distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of prolific are fecund, fertile, and fruitful. While all these words mean "producing or capable of producing offspring or fruit," prolific stresses rapidity of spreading or multiplying by or as if by natural reproduction.

a prolific writer

When is fecund a more appropriate choice than prolific?

The meanings of fecund and prolific largely overlap; however, fecund emphasizes abundance or rapidity in bearing fruit or offspring.

a fecund herd

When is it sensible to use fertile instead of prolific?

The words fertile and prolific are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fertile implies the power to reproduce in kind or to assist in reproduction and growth; applied figuratively, it suggests readiness of invention and development.

fertile soil

a fertile imagination

How does the word fruitful relate to other synonyms for prolific?

Fruitful adds to fertile and fecund the implication of desirable or useful results.

fruitful research

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of prolific

The prolific actor was featured in more than 150 film and television projects from 1978 to 2024. —Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 3 Jan. 2025

According to the prolific actor's obituary shared by Pizzi Funeral Home in New Jersey, he is survived by his wife Jane, daughters Tessa De Pierro and Cassandra Hansen, as well as four grandchildren. —Sabienna Bowman, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025

Eren's lab is quite prolific, publishing 15 to 20 papers a year. —Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2025

Also, a shout to Chris Wood (£6.6m), who has 11 goals and has been prolific. —Holly Shand, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025