Someone or something that is productive produces or does a lot for the amount of resources used.
Training makes workers highly productive.
More productive farmers have been able to provide cheaper food.
...fertile and productive soils.
productivelyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
The company is certain to reinvest its profits productively.
2. adjective
If you say that a relationship between people is productive, you mean that a lot of good or useful things happen as a result of it.
He was hopeful that the next round of talks would also be productive.
...the chairman's role in fostering productive relationships between his senior colleagues.
productivelyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
They feel they are interacting productively with elderly patients.
3. graded adjective [v-link ADJof n]
Something that is productive of a situation or feeling creates it.
[formal]
Land, labor and capital are all productive of wealth.
More Synonyms of productive
productive in British English
(prəˈdʌktɪv)
adjective
1.
producing or having the power to produce; fertile
2.
yielding favourable or effective results
3. economics
a.
producing or capable of producing goods and services that have monetary or exchange value
productive assets
b.
of or relating to such production
the productive processes of an industry
4. (postpositive; foll byof)
resulting in
productive of good results
5.
denoting an affix or combining form used to produce new words
Derived forms
productively (proˈductively)
adverb
productiveness (proˈductiveness)
noun
productive in American English
(prəˈdʌktɪv; proʊˈdʌktɪv)
adjective
1.
producing abundantly; fertile
productive soil, a productive mind
2.
marked by abundant production or effective results
a productive day
3.
bringing as a result (with of)
war is productive of much misery
4. Economics
of or engaged in the creating of economic value, or the producing of goods and services
5. Linguistics
designating any affix or method which can be and still is used to make new forms
“non-” is a productive prefix
Derived forms
productively (proˈductively)
adverb
productivity (ˌproʊdəkˈtɪvəti; ˌ prɑdəkˈtɪvəti)
noun or proˈductiveness
Word origin
ML productivus < LL, fit for prolongation < L productus, pp. of producere: see produce
Examples of 'productive' in a sentence
productive
The domestic structure in England is good and we have to work hard to ensure that partnership is very productive.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She will emphasise how much richer the UK would be the rest of the country was productive as the capital is.
The Sun (2016)
She provides him with what he needs for a good and productive life.
Christianity Today (2000)
Our performances have been good but not productive in terms of points.
The Sun (2013)
The productive capacity of the economy depends on the health of core infrastructure.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The car worker manning it is less productive through no fault of their own.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Will they reduce costs and make healthcare more productive?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Working with others is a lot more productive than yesterday.
The Sun (2015)
And there was fat chance of such a confused system supporting him into a productive new life.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Rehabilitation is a vital part of preparing a prisoner for a productive life outside jail.
The Sun (2015)
The key to damage limitation is to minimise the loss of productive capacity as growth slows.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This makes me more productive and more capable of finding solutions.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It was a sad end to a long and productive life.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Yet height and niceness are by no means the most vital ingredients in an effective and productive boss.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
That is the basis for a productive company culture that is one of our most important competitive advantages.
The Sun (2008)
The closure of factories and workshops or mines and shipyards that could be productive is also a waste of resources.
Brown, Muriel & Payne Sarah Introduction to Social Administration in Britain (1990)
This leads to more productive relationships.
The Sun (2014)
The restraints which were imposed upon the consumption of wealth naturally served to increase it by making possible the productive investment of capital.
Greeley, Andrew M. Sociology and Religion: A Collection of Readings (1995)
It was a good, productive chat.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Everyone uses their imagination all the time, but not necessarily in particularly effective or productive ways.
Pete Cohen and Sten Cummins with Jennai Cox HABIT BUSTING: A 10-step plan that will change your life (2002)
We were not good at inventing new productive forms of economic co-operation.
Aganbegyan, Abel Inside Perestroika: The Future of the Soviet Economy (1990)
It tied up productive capital in unproductive areas, rather than releasing funds for the next generation of innovative businesses.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
If you are happy and healthy at work you will be more productive and the company 's efficiency will also improve.