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

Adams was productive for the Jets and complemented Garrett Wilson well, but this is not a situation he’s expected to want to stick around for, especially with a new coaching staff and uncertainty at quarterback. —Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025

Manner said people who are concerned about the U.S. position on Canada should contact their political representatives and express their thoughts, but that social media dooming may be less productive. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

Meaning his last two games combined were less productive than any single one of his previous 23 playoff games. —Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025

For decades in the United States, scientists and government officials have coexisted in a mostly peaceable and productive symbiosis. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025

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