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

Instead, get up and be productive, starting your tasks earlier in the day. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 5 June 2024

Factor in his defense (two outs above average at shortstop), and Wisely has been plenty productive in recent weeks. —Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 1 June 2024

The pressure to be productive and meet deadlines deter many (63%) from taking time off and make others nervous to ask for PTO—especially among younger generations. —Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 31 May 2024

Doty is productive on the offensive end as well, batting third and posting a team high batting average (.581). —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 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