What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fruitful
Example
The meeting was fruitful, and we were able to come up with some great ideas. [fruitful: adjective]
Example
The research project proved to be very fruitful, yielding many important findings. [fruitful: adjective]
prolific
Example
He is a prolific writer, having published over 20 books in his career. [prolific: adjective]
Example
The apple tree in our backyard is very prolific, producing hundreds of apples each year. [prolific: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prolific is more commonly used than fruitful in everyday language, especially in creative fields such as writing, music, and art. Fruitful is more commonly used in formal or academic contexts, where it is often used to describe the outcome of research or collaboration.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fruitful and prolific?
Fruitful is generally considered more formal and academic than prolific, which is more commonly used in informal or everyday language. However, both words can be used in a variety of formality levels depending on the context and tone of the communication.