productive
pruh-DUHK-tihv
Productive (adjective) means getting a lot done; generating good results efficiently. Example: “I had a very productive morning and finished all my emails before lunch.”
adjective
1
Getting a lot done; generating good results efficiently.
"I had a very productive morning and finished all my emails before lunch."
"It was a productive meeting — we covered everything on the list."
"The soil here is very productive for growing crops."
How to use productive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGetting good results, or capable of making a lot.
Common pairings
highly productive
productive day
productive land
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more productive
- Superlative
- most productive
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I had a very _____ morning and finished all my emails before lunch.
Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin prōductīvus, from the same root as produce.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
baneful
barren
counterproductive
counter-productive
destructive
nonproductive
non-productive
unproductive
Related words
Rhymes for productive
See all rhymes for productive →Frequently asked questions
What does “productive” mean?
The word “productive” means getting a lot done; generating good results efficiently. In plain terms, getting good results, or capable of making a lot.
How do you pronounce “productive”?
“Productive” is pronounced pruh-DUHK-tihv (/pɹəˈdʌk.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “productive” in a sentence?
Here is “productive” used in a sentence: “It was a productive meeting — we covered everything on the list.”
What is another word for “productive”?
Words with a similar meaning to “productive” include prolific, pregnant, batful, fertile, thriving and fruitful.
What is the opposite of “productive”?
The opposite of “productive” — its antonyms — are baneful, barren, counterproductive, counter-productive and destructive.
What part of speech is “productive”?
“Productive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “productive” come from?
The word “productive” comes from Late Latin. Borrowed from Late Latin prōductīvus, from the same root as produce.
Is “productive” a common word?
“Productive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between productive and efficient?
Productive means getting a lot done and generating good results, while efficient means achieving results with the least waste of time or effort. You can be productive without being efficient if you accomplish much but use excess resources.
What is the difference between productive and busy?
Being busy means having a lot to do, while being productive means actually achieving meaningful results. A person can be busy all day yet not productive if little of value gets finished.
What is the difference between productive and effective?
Productive focuses on how much gets done, while effective focuses on whether the output achieves its intended goal. Work can be productive in volume yet not effective if it misses its purpose.
What is the opposite of productive?
The opposite is unproductive or counterproductive, meaning failing to achieve useful results, or even working against the goal you are trying to reach.
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