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

Cast out for much of December, the backup center has been consistently productive since rejoining Mazzulla’s rotation last weekend. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025

Frequently, the most productive hours of the workday are hijacked by someone else’s agenda, according to Microsoft workplace research. —Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025

The region has transitioned from a productive agricultural center to a semiarid zone due to a rapid decline in groundwater levels and the emergence of desert-like dune formations. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 Dec. 2025

More storms will be needed The early-season reading comes on the heels of one of the most hydrologically productive three-year stretches California has seen in a generation. —Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025

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