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prolific

adjective
pro·​lif·​ic | \ prÉ™-ˈli-fik How to pronounce prolific (audio) \

Definition of prolific

1 : producing young or fruit especially freely : fruitful
2 archaic : causing abundant growth, generation, or reproduction
3 : marked by abundant inventiveness or productivity a prolific composer
Other Words from prolific Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about prolific

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Other Words from prolific

prolificacy \ prÉ™-​ˈli-​fi-​kÉ™-​sÄ“ How to pronounce prolificacy (audio) \ noun
prolifically \ prÉ™-​ˈli-​fi-​k(É™-​)lÄ“ How to pronounce prolifically (audio) \ adverb
prolificness \ prÉ™-​ˈli-​fik-​nÉ™s How to pronounce prolificness (audio) \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for prolific

fertile, fecund, fruitful, prolific mean producing or capable of producing offspring or fruit. fertile implies the power to reproduce in kind or to assist in reproduction and growth fertile soil ; applied figuratively, it suggests readiness of invention and development. a fertile imagination fecund emphasizes abundance or rapidity in bearing fruit or offspring. a fecund herd fruitful adds to fertile and fecund the implication of desirable or useful results. fruitful research prolific stresses rapidity of spreading or multiplying by or as if by natural reproduction. a prolific writer

Examples of prolific in a Sentence

Since [David] Mamet is a prolific writer of Hollywood screenplays, there are today more people who know his work than know that they know it. — Juliet Fleming, Times Literary Supplement, 18 Feb. 2000 The main rival to his pneumonia was the prolific thrush which went into his throat and stomach. — Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting, 1993 A writer as established and prolific as Joyce Carol Oates can approach her material in a wealth of ways unavailable to the more plodding. — Jane Smiley, New York Times Book Review, 5 May 1991 Here there are La restaurants, wine bars, bookshops, estate agents more prolific than doctors, and attractive people in black, few of them aging. — Hanif Kureishi, Granta 22, Autumn 1987 a famously prolific author who could produce several works of fiction and nonfiction a year
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Bowen was among the Championship's most prolific scorers last year - with nobody still playing in the division having scored more. — SI.com, "Championship Golden Boot: 10 Players Who Have the Credentials to Finish as Top Goalscorer," 23 Aug. 2019 Brayden Tracey, a prolific junior hockey scorer chosen late in the first round by the Ducks this year, is expected to play in the rookie event. — Curtis Zupkestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Ducks to host rookie tournament in September," 22 Aug. 2019 To get a win in Florida, Birmingham’s defense will attempt to stop Tampa Bay’s prolific scorers and goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel will try to keep his clean sheet streak alive. — Cheryl Wray, al, "Legion FC faces road challenge at conference-leading Tampa Bay," 9 Aug. 2019 Dan Marino, one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, had six seasons over his 17-year career with more than 4,000 yards. — Brandon Niles, SI.com, "Fantasy Football 2019: Quarterback Position Primer," 5 Aug. 2019 Prince was one of the most prolific and successful stage directors in history, with a venerated career that spanned six decades and netted him a staggering 21 Tony awards — more than any other person in history. — Aja Romano, Vox, "Broadway director Harold Prince left an unparalleled legacy of masterworks," 1 Aug. 2019 The most prolific accounts are usually reposting the same images ad nauseam in quick bursts. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "New legislation is putting social networks in the crosshairs," 1 Aug. 2019 Horn, a 6-foot-4 guard, has shown to be a prolific scorer. — James Weber, Cincinnati.com, "CovCath adds high-profile talent: 7-footer from Evansville, NKU's new head coach's son," 24 June 2019 Whatever Cuarón does next, the prolific director is sure to wow us. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Who Is Roma Director Alfonso Cuarón? You've Definitely Seen His Incredible Movies," 23 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prolific.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of prolific

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for prolific

French prolifique, from Middle French, from Latin proles + Middle French -figue -fic

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More Definitions for prolific

prolific

adjective
How to pronounce prolific (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of prolific

: producing a large amount of something

See the full definition for prolific in the English Language Learners Dictionary

prolific

adjective
pro·​lif·​ic | \ prÉ™-ˈli-fik How to pronounce prolific (audio) \

Kids Definition of prolific

1 : very inventive or productive a prolific writer
2 : producing young or fruit in large numbers a prolific fruit tree

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More from Merriam-Webster on prolific

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with prolific

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prolific

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