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

The myth is that constant availability is productive when the data suggests otherwise. —Dilan Gomih, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

What for such a privileged group is a matter of a potentially productive difference in opinion is, for many of us, a matter of basic survival. —Aleksandar Hemon, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026

Respondents reported feeling more productive, more present and less like life is happening behind a screen. —Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Style Brazile, sophomore G Brazile, one of the most productive underclassmen in the area, is back with the Eagles after a wildly productive debut season that helped capture a state title. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 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