Productive — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /prə-ˈdək-tiv/ pro·duc·tive

Meaning & Definition of Productive

Productive (adjective)

  1. having the quality or power of producing especially in abundance
  2. effective in bringing about
  3. yielding results, benefits, or profits

Productive (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having a role in deciding something's final form

    "contributed several productive ideas to the project"

    similar: constructive, formative
    related: causal, creative, consequential, influential
    opposite: nonconstructive, nonproductive, unproductive

  2. producing abundantly

    "overfishing has depleted the stock of fish in these waters, which were once so productive"

    similar: cornucopian, fat, fecund, fertile, fructuous, fruitful, lush, luxuriant, prolific, rich
    related: bearing, generative, producing, yielding, abounding, abundant, bountiful, copious, generous, liberal, plenteous, plentiful, plenitudinous, blooming, bursting, flourishing, swarming, teeming, thriving, creative, inventive, original
    opposite: barren, dead, infertile, sterile, unfertile, unfruitful, unproductive
    near: meager, scant, scanty, skimp, skimpy, spare, sparse

  3. producing or capable of producing a desired result

    "panicking during a crisis is not productive behavior"

    similar: effective, effectual, efficacious, efficient, fruitful, operative, potent
    related: hyperefficient, ultraefficient, adequate, capable, competent, accomplished, adept, consummate, experienced, expert, masterly, practiced, proficient, skilled, skillful, versed, veteran, virtuoso, cogent, convincing, killer, sound, striking, telling, valid, active, dynamic, useful, working, applicable, feasible, functional, practicable, practical, realizable, usable, workable
    opposite: fruitless, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, inoperative, unfruitful, unproductive, useless
    near: counterproductive, incapable, incompetent, inexperienced, inexpert, unqualified, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful, abortive, bootless, futile, vain, empty, hollow, idle, pointless, unavailing, unprofitable, unsuccessful, inoperative, worthless

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Productive

The most common words with a similar meaning to Productive:

constructive, formative, cornucopian, fat, fecund, fertile, fructuous, fruitful, lush, luxuriant, prolific, rich, effective, effectual, efficacious, efficient, operative, potent

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Productive

Words with the opposite meaning of Productive:

nonconstructive, nonproductive, unproductive, barren, dead, infertile, sterile, unfertile, unfruitful, fruitless, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, inoperative, useless

Related Words for Productive

causal, creative, consequential, influential, bearing, generative, producing, yielding, abounding, abundant, bountiful, copious, generous, liberal, plenteous, plentiful, plenitudinous, blooming, bursting, flourishing, swarming, teeming, thriving, inventive, original, hyperefficient, ultraefficient, adequate, capable, competent

Near Antonyms of Productive

meager, scant, scanty, skimp, skimpy, spare, sparse, counterproductive, incapable, incompetent, inexperienced, inexpert, unqualified, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful, abortive, bootless, futile, vain, empty, hollow, idle, pointless, unavailing, unprofitable, unsuccessful, worthless

Word Forms of Productive

Derived words: productively (adverb), productiveness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Productive

First known use: 1612

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Productive

Words & Phrases Containing Productive

hyperproductive

Frequently Asked Questions about Productive

What does "Productive" mean?

"Productive" means having the quality or power of producing especially in abundance. As an adjective, it is defined as: having the quality or power of producing especially in abundance. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Productive"?

Other words for "Productive" include constructive, formative, cornucopian, fat, fecund, fertile, fructuous and fruitful. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Productive" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Productive"?

There are 80 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Productive". Common alternatives include constructive, formative, cornucopian, fat, fecund, fertile, fructuous, fruitful, lush and luxuriant.

What is the opposite of "Productive"?

Antonyms of "Productive" include nonconstructive, nonproductive, unproductive, barren, dead, infertile, sterile and unfertile. Near antonyms include meager, scant, scanty and skimp.

How do you use "Productive" in a sentence?

Examples of "Productive" in a sentence: "contributed several productive ideas to the project"; "overfishing has depleted the stock of fish in these waters, which were once so productive"; "panicking during a crisis is not productive behavior".

Is "Productive" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Productive" is an adjective.

Is "Productive" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Productive" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Productive"?

"Productive" is pronounced /prə-ˈdək-tiv/ and divided into syllables as pro·duc·tive.