PROLIFIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does prolific mean? 

• PROLIFIC (adjective)
  The adjective PROLIFIC has 2 senses:

1. intellectually productive

2. bearing in abundance especially offspring

  Familiarity information: PROLIFIC used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PROLIFIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Intellectually productive

Synonyms:

fecund; fertile; prolific

Context example:

a fecund imagination

Similar:

productive (producing or capable of producing (especially abundantly))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Bearing in abundance especially offspring

Synonyms:

fertile; prolific

Context example:

a prolific pear tree

Similar:

fruitful (productive or conducive to producing in abundance)

 Context examples 

The cancer is now found in dog populations worldwide, and is the oldest and most prolific cancer lineage known in nature.

(The curious tale of the cancer ‘parasite’ that sailed the seas, University of Cambridge)

The foolhardiness or ignorance of her officers was a prolific theme for comment whilst she remained in sight, and efforts were made to signal her to reduce sail in face of her danger.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Out of the plentiful spawn of life she flung from her prolific hand she selected only the best.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Indeed, I cannot think why the whole bed of the ocean is not one solid mass of oysters, so prolific the creatures seem.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

New research led by University of Utah biologists William Anderegg, Anna Trugman and David Bowling finds that some plants and trees are prolific spendthrifts in drought conditions, using precious soil water to cool themselves and, in the process, making droughts more intense.

(How trees affect the weather, National Science Foundation)