What does "prolific" mean?

1. (creative output) producing many works, such as books, paintings, or songs. 2. (biological fertility) producing many offspring, fruit, or seeds. 3. (frequent or abundant) present in large numbers or happening very often.

How do you use "prolific"?

Usually precedes the noun it modifies.

prolific

adj.

US //pɹoʊˈɫɪfɪk// UK //pɹəlˈɪfɪk// pro·lif·ic

1 creative output (adj.)
C1 Advanced Academic

producing many works, such as books, paintings, or songs.

producing a large quantity of creative or intellectual work. Often used to describe authors, artists, or composers.

Example

The prolific author wrote over fifty novels during her long career.

Example

Despite his short life, Schubert was a prolific composer, leaving behind a vast catalogue of over six hundred lieder and numerous symphonies.

Usage

Usually precedes the noun it modifies.
- unproductive
2 biological fertility (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

producing many offspring, fruit, or seeds.

producing offspring or fruit in great abundance. Applied to plants, animals, or environments.

Example

Rabbits are famous for being prolific breeders.

Example

The valley's volcanic soil makes it a prolific agricultural region, capable of supporting multiple harvests within a single growing season.
- fertile
- fecund
- lush
- barren
- sterile

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3 frequent or abundant (adj.)
C1 Advanced Formal

present in large numbers or happening very often.

existing in large numbers or characterized by high frequency. Often used in sports or social contexts to describe scorers or offenders.

Example

He was a prolific goal scorer for his national team.

Example

The detective noted that the thief had been particularly prolific in this neighborhood, striking three different houses in a single week.
- scarce
- rare

Origin

1635: from French prolifique and its etymon Latin prōlificus, from prōlēs (“offspring”) + -ficus (“making”).