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

If your friend is lonely or struggling to establish her identity without her sister living in the house, time with friends and time intentionally getting to know herself will be more productive. —R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026

Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Andruw Monasterio haven’t been any more productive at the plate than Durbin or Mayer either, and Triple-A infield options like Nick Sogard, Tsung Che-Cheng and Anthony Seigler aren’t likely to significantly move the needle. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026

In Oakville, a portion of the famed To Kalon Vineyard was planted with Sauvignon Blanc in 1945, and more than 75 percent of those original vines remain productive today. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2026

This should be a productive draft for the Dolphins. —Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 26 Apr. 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