fruitful

American  

[froot-fuhl] / ˈfrut fəl /

adjective

1. producing good results; beneficial; profitable.

   fruitful investigations.

   Antonyms:

   barren

2. abounding in fruit, as trees or other plants; bearing fruit abundantly.

3. producing an abundant growth, as of fruit.

   fruitful soil; fruitful rain.

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fruitful British  

/ ˈfruːtfʊl /

adjective

1. bearing fruit in abundance

2. productive or prolific, esp in bearing offspring

3. causing or assisting prolific growth

4. producing results or profits

   a fruitful discussion

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Related Words

See productive.

Other Word Forms

• fruitfully adverb
• fruitfulness noun
• overfruitful adjective
• overfruitfully adverb
• overfruitfulness noun

Etymology

Origin of fruitful

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; fruit + -ful

Example Sentences

The question is whether this division of labor—machines for volume, humans for discernment—is a fruitful partnership or a more troubling redefinition of what creative work looks like.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yet for musicians and listeners, the freedom and context it suggests have grown increasingly commonplace, more welcome and fruitful than ever.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Final negotiations have been focused and fruitful, and we are now very optimistic that we will land this historic trade deal," an EU official said Monday speaking on condition of anonymity.

From Barron's

Despite their recent sad-sack reputation, small caps have long been a fruitful part of the market.

From The Wall Street Journal

But legal fights over voter identification and housing have been less fruitful.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advantageous
• beneficial
• conducive
• effective
• profitable
• rewarding
• successful
• useful
• worthwhile