Synonyms of productivenext
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Nestled on Newport’s historic Thames street, this 18th-century post-and-beam loft has been reimagined into a productive home office away from home. Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026 The 31-year-old winger has been productive in his MLS minutes, with nine goals and 10 assists in 27 regular-season matches last season (1,833 minutes) and another two goals and an assist in four playoff games off the bench. Tom Bogert, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 The assets being counted upon to help carry the debt may become less productive while Paramount waits for permission to combine them. Paul Hardart, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026 Open, constructive feedback helps employees learn, collaborate and improve, but many organizations still struggle to make peer-to-peer feedback feel safe and productive. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for productive

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of productive was in 1612

Cite this Entry

“Productive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/productive. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

productive

adjective
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
: raising mucus or sputum (as from the bronchi)
a productive cough

More from Merriam-Webster on productive

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster