What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
proliferous
Example
The bamboo plant is known for being proliferous and spreading quickly. [proliferous: adjective]
Example
The tumor was found to be highly proliferous and required immediate treatment. [proliferous: adjective]
prolific
Example
The author is known for being a prolific writer, having published over 20 books. [prolific: adjective]
Example
The artist's prolific output of paintings made her famous in the art world. [prolific: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prolific is more commonly used than proliferous in everyday language, as it has a broader scope and can be used in various fields. Proliferous is less common and is typically used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between proliferous and prolific?
Both proliferous and prolific are formal words, but proliferous is more technical and may be less familiar to ESL learners compared to prolific.
