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 of productive

• creative
• constructive

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

In some of China’s most productive regions, water scarcity and water pollution threaten farming; in other areas, torrential rainfall and flooding—made more frequent by climate change—are destroying crops. — Caitlin Welsh, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026

As coordination costs decline, organizations become flatter, roles become broader and every team member becomes more productive. — Manish Gupta, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Economic historian Marc Levinson offered up this thesis in book form with An Extraordinary Time, which argued everything following the 1970s in American culture and society has reflected a less innovative, less productive economy. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026

The 26-year-old is playing like he’s poised for another productive season. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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