# prolific

/pɹoʊˈɫɪfɪk/ (US) · /pɹəlˈɪfɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prolific
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. creative output

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic

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

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

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

### 2. biological fertility

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

producing many offspring, fruit, or seeds.

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

- Rabbits are famous for being prolific breeders.
- The valley's volcanic soil makes it a prolific agricultural region, capable of supporting multiple harvests within a single growing season.

### 3. frequent or abundant

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

present in large numbers or happening very often.

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

- He was a prolific goal scorer for his national team.
- The detective noted that the thief had been particularly prolific in this neighborhood, striking three different houses in a single week.

## Examples

- The apple tree is very prolific this year.
- The prolific author published three novels and a collection of short stories in a single calendar year.
- In the nutrient-rich waters of the estuary, the local fish populations are incredibly prolific, supporting a complex food web that includes several endangered bird species.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.