prolific

[ pruh-lif-ik ]

adjective

1. producing offspring, young, fruit, etc., abundantly; highly fruitful:

   a prolific pear tree.

   Synonyms: abundant, fecund, teeming

   Antonyms: barren

2. producing in large quantities or with great frequency; highly productive:

   a prolific writer.

   Synonyms: abundant, fecund, teeming

3. profusely productive or fruitful (often followed by in or of ):

   a bequest prolific of litigations.

4. characterized by abundant production:

   a prolific year for tomatoes.

prolific

/ prəˈlɪfɪk /

adjective

1. producing fruit, offspring, etc, in abundance
2. producing constant or successful results
3. often foll byin or of rich or fruitful

Derived Forms

• proˈlificness, noun
• proˈlifically, adverb

Other Words From

• pro·lif·i·ca·cy [pr, uh, -, lif, -i-k, uh, -see], pro·li·fic·i·ty [proh-l, uh, -, fis, -i-tee], pro·lific·ness noun
• pro·lifi·cal·ly adverb
• nonpro·lific adjective
• nonpro·lific·ness noun
• nonpro·lifi·ca·cy noun
• nonpro·lifi·cal·ly adverb
• over·pro·lific adjective
• over·pro·lific·ness noun
• over·pro·lifi·cal·ly adverb
• unpro·lific adjective
• unpro·lific·ness noun
• unpro·lifi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prolific¹

First recorded in 1640–50, prolific is from the Medieval Latin word prōlificus “fertile.” See prolicide, -fic

Word History and Origins

Origin of prolific¹

C17: from Medieval Latin prōlificus, from Latin prōlēs offspring

Synonym Study

See productive.

Example Sentences

For the opera, Hilton and Richie opted to chronicle their relationship throughout the years, from their childhood friendship to their prolific careers, which includes memorable vignettes of “The Simple Life.”

From Los Angeles Times

A "prolific and chilling" sex abuser from Northern Ireland has been sentenced to 27 years in prison.

From BBC

Justin Welby said his words, delivered to the House of Lords on Thursday, had caused further hurt to those harmed by the "heinous abuse" perpetrated by prolific child abuser John Smyth.

From BBC

And all of a sudden, one of my peers, who I haven’t met, is allegedly faking reviews for papers, and looking at their track record, they are extremely prolific.

From Science Magazine

Earl Holliman, whose prolific acting career included a Golden Globe-winning role in “The Rainmaker” and TV series such as “Police Woman,” has died.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• creative
• rich