productive

1 of 2

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

productiveness

2 of 2

noun

pro·​duc·​tive·​ness

-tivnə̇s, 

-tev- also -təv-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being productive

the prodigious productiveness of great workers

—C. W. Eliot

Synonyms of productive

Adjective

• creative
• constructive

Examples of productive in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

For the most part, though, Eldridge has been too productive as a DH to sit, and Rafael Devers remains an immovable presence at either first base or DH. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 29 June 2026

Staying productive may be all that is on your mind as Mars moves into Gemini. — Usa Today, USA Today, 28 June 2026

Tech giants have argued that AI will benefit society by creating new jobs and making people more productive, handling digital drudgery like sifting through emails, writing code, editing photos and catching up on the news. — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 28 June 2026

The Chicago White Sox wrapped up a productive homestand on a sour note on Sunday, losing 5-4 to the Kansas City Royals in front of 27,301 at Rate Field. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing productive

• hyper-productive

Rhymes for productive

• abductive
• conductive
• constructive
• deductive
• destructive
• inductive
• instructive
• obstructive
• reductive
• seductive
• counterproductive
• photoconductive

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