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having the power of ; generative; creative:
a productive effort.
producing readily or abundantly; fertile:
a productive vineyard.
causing; bringing about (usually followed by of):
conditions productive of crime and sin.
Economics. producing or tending to produce goods and services having exchange value.
Grammar. (of derivational affixes or patterns) readily used in forming new words, as the suffix -ness.
(in language learning) of or relating to the language skills of speaking and writing (opposed to ).
Contemporary Examples

Until then, we have much to learn about the strange ways of his productive highs.
Kevin Smith, Burned Out? Chris Lee September 1, 2011

The next most productive is the not-for-profit sector, then comes state and local governments, and finally the federal government.
What the Heck Is Romney Saying About the Economy? Jesse Singal August 13, 2012

Compared with a year ago, we have more invested in productive capacity, and more of it is being used.
Data Show U.S. Industry Shrugs off Sandy Effects Daniel Gross December 13, 2012

That may just be because I have a low bar for what passes as a “productive” day.
How I Write: ‘The Tragedy of Arthur’ by Arthur Phillips Noah Charney August 21, 2012

The clock is now ticking on what has historically been the most productive two years of a presidency.
In His Inaugural Address, Barack Obama Delivers a Progressive Manifesto John Avlon January 20, 2013

Historical Examples

The conclusion of the harvest was productive of a slight disturbance among the Irish convicts at Toongabbie.
An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales, Vol. 2 David Collins

These meetings were productive of great good to the community and to individuals.
Biography of a Slave Charles Thompson

The trees are vigorous, productive and little subject to leaf-curl but the fruits in New York are often marred by peach-scab.
The Peaches of New York U. P. Hedrick

Your applying, however, to Reginald can be productive only of good to all parties.
Lady Susan Jane Austen

But one sees a determined effort to marry someone, she said, often productive of a very passable imitation of falling in love.
The Angel of Pain E. F. Benson

adjective
producing or having the power to produce; fertile
yielding favourable or effective results
(economics)

producing or capable of producing goods and services that have monetary or exchange value: productive assets
of or relating to such production: the productive processes of an industry

(postpositive) foll by of. resulting in: productive of good results
denoting an affix or combining form used to produce new words
adj.

1610s, from French productif (16c.) and directly from Medieval Latin productivus “fit for production,” from Latin product-, past participle stem of producere (see produce (v.)). Related: Productively; productiveness.

productive pro·duc·tive (prə-dŭk’tĭv, prō-)
adj.

Producing or capable of producing mucus or sputum.

Forming new tissue, as of an inflammation.