reproductive
gb/ɹˌipɹədˈʌktɪv/ us/ɹˌipɹədˈʌktɪv/
B2
English
~ 9200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
technical
B2
property
1
relating to biological reproduction
About how people, animals, or plants make babies or new young, including the body parts and cells that do this.
Usage pattern:
reproductive [system/organ/cell/behavior/process]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reproductive' with 'productive'. 'Reproductive' is specifically about making babies or new young, while 'productive' means doing a lot of work or making many things. Another mistake is using 'reproductive' as a noun (e.g., 'the reproductive'), which is incorrect; it should always describe a noun, like 'reproductive system' or 'reproductive organs'.
Synonyms
procreative (More formal and less common; strongly emphasizes the act of producing offspring, especially in biological or religious contexts.)
Antonyms
contraceptive (Describes methods or things intended to prevent reproduction, the opposite focus of something described as reproductive.)
Collocations
reproductive system
|reproductive organs
|reproductive cells
|reproductive behavior
|reproductive biology
|reproductive cycle
Themes
science
|medicine
|biology
Examples
- The doctor explained how the male and female reproductive systems work together to create a pregnancy.
- Environmental toxins can damage reproductive organs and reduce fertility in both humans and animals.
- Students learned about reproductive cells, such as sperm and eggs, in their biology class.
- The study examines how climate change affects the reproductive behavior of sea turtles.
- Reproductive biology has made rapid advances in understanding how genes are passed from parents to offspring.
Learner examples
- The human reproductive system helps people have babies.
- Some chemicals can harm the reproductive organs of fish.
- In science class we talked about reproductive cells like sperm and egg cells.
- The book has a clear picture of the female reproductive system.
- Reproductive behavior in birds changes in the spring.
adjective
formal
B2
property
2
about reproductive rights and health
About a person's rights and health care for planning if and when to have children.
Usage pattern:
reproductive [rights/health/freedom/justice/services]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'reproductive' here only means 'about having babies' and miss the legal and social idea of choice and control. Another mistake is saying *'reproduction rights'* instead of the fixed phrase 'reproductive rights'.
Synonyms
family-planning (Often used before words like 'services' or 'programs'; slightly narrower, focusing mainly on avoiding or timing pregnancies rather than the full range of rights and health issues.)
Antonyms
anti-abortion (Describes positions or policies that restrict some reproductive choices, especially abortion, and so often oppose broader reproductive rights or freedom.)
Collocations
reproductive rights
|reproductive health
|reproductive freedom
|reproductive justice
|reproductive services
Themes
society
|law
|medicine
|politics
|health
Examples
- Access to reproductive health services is limited in many rural areas.
- The court's decision is expected to have a major impact on reproductive rights nationwide.
- Public health campaigns often focus on improving reproductive health for teenagers.
- Activists marched in support of reproductive freedom and gender equality.
- The organization provides education about reproductive justice and healthcare access.
Learner examples
- Many people fight to protect reproductive rights.
- Good reproductive health care helps people plan their families.
- The clinic offers information about reproductive health.
- Some laws make it hard to get reproductive services.
- Reproductive freedom means people can choose if they want children.
adjective
technical
C1
property
3
able to produce offspring now
Able to have babies or young at this time, not too young or too old to do so.
Usage pattern:
[person/animal] is reproductive
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with 'reproductive system'. Here it describes whether a person or animal can have babies now, not the body parts themselves. Another mistake is to say *'reproductable'* instead of 'reproductive' or 'fertile'; 'reproductable' is not standard English.
Synonyms
fertile (Very common word for being able to have babies; used more generally, while 'reproductive' in this sense is more technical and often used in scientific writing.)
Antonyms
infertile (Describes someone or something that cannot produce offspring, the direct opposite of being reproductive in this sense.)
Collocations
reproductive age
|reproductive females
|reproductive adults
|reproductive lifespan
Themes
science
|biology
|medicine
|animals
Examples
- Most women of reproductive age live in urban areas in this region.
- Only reproductive adults were included in the study of mating behavior.
- The graph shows the proportion of reproductive and nonreproductive females in each group.
- In many species, males remain reproductive for a longer period than females.
- The average reproductive lifespan of the animals was reduced by the treatment.
Learner examples
- She is still in her reproductive years.
- The study looked at reproductive women between 20 and 35.
- Not all adults in the group were reproductive.
- Some fish are only reproductive for a short time each year.
- The doctor said she is no longer reproductive.
adjective
technical
C1
property
4
being a copy of artwork
Saying that a picture or object is a copy of another artwork, not the first, original one.
Usage pattern:
reproductive [print/engraving/sculpture/image]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that 'reproductive' here does not relate to having babies, but to making copies of art. They may also incorrectly say *'reproduction print'* as an adjective; in art history, 'reproductive print' is the normal term.
Synonyms
reproduced (Past participle used like an adjective; focuses more on the act of copying, while 'reproductive' is more of an art-historical label.)
Antonyms
original (Describes a work that is the first version created by the artist, not a copy.)
Collocations
reproductive print
|reproductive engraving
|reproductive sculpture
Themes
art
|media
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The exhibition included several nineteenth‑century reproductive prints of famous paintings.
- This reproductive engraving was made to spread the image of the original altar piece.
- Museums sometimes sell reproductive sculptures in their gift shops.
- She specializes in cataloging reproductive prints from the Baroque period.
- The gallery clearly labels reproductive images so buyers know they are not purchasing originals.
Learner examples
- The museum shop sells reproductive prints of the paintings.
- This picture is only a reproductive image, not the real painting.
- He bought a reproductive sculpture for his living room.
- The book shows reproductive prints of old art.
- A reproductive engraving is a careful copy of a famous work.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reproductive
IPA
GB/ɹˌipɹədˈʌktɪv/
US/ɹˌipɹədˈʌktɪv/
Syllables & stress
re - pro - duct - ive (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (duct)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: reproductive
Word family
Core family
reproduce
verb B2
reproduction
noun B1
Related words
reproducible
adjective C1
Negative and opposite forms
non-reproductive
adjective
Advanced or less common
reproductively
adverb
reproducibility
noun C1
Expressions
reproductive age
1/ɹˌipɹədˈʌktɪv ˈeɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
technical
age when a person can have children
The years in a person's life when they are able to have children.
Examples
- Most women of reproductive age in the study lived in cities.
- The vaccine is especially recommended for people of reproductive age.
- The birth rate among women of reproductive age has fallen.
reproductive biology
1/ɹˌipɹədˈʌktɪv baɪˈɑləd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
technical
science of how organisms reproduce
The part of biology that studies how animals and plants make babies or new young.
Examples
- She is a professor of reproductive biology at the university.
- Modern reproductive biology has transformed fertility treatments.
- The course introduces students to basic reproductive biology.
reproductive cloning
1/ɹˌipɹədˈʌktɪv klˈoʊnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
cloning to make a new individual
A kind of cloning that makes a new animal with the same DNA as another animal, not just cells or tissues.
Examples
- Most countries have banned reproductive cloning in humans.
- The birth of Dolly the sheep sparked debates about reproductive cloning.
- Scientists distinguish between therapeutic cloning and reproductive cloning.
reproductive freedom
1/ɹˌipɹədˈʌktɪv fɹˈidəm/
fixed phrase
formal
freedom to make reproductive choices
The freedom for people to decide for themselves about having children and using related health services.
Examples
- The group campaigns for reproductive freedom and gender equality.
- Many voters see the issue as central to reproductive freedom.
- They argue that true reproductive freedom requires affordable health care.
reproductive health
1/ɹˌipɹədˈʌktɪv hˈɛlθ/
fixed phrase
formal
health related to reproduction
The state of a person's body and mind in all things related to having children, sex, and the organs used for these.
Examples
- The clinic offers a wide range of reproductive health services.
- Improving reproductive health is a key goal of the program.
- They launched a campaign to raise awareness about men's reproductive health.
reproductive justice
1/ɹˌipɹədˈʌktɪv d͡ʒˈʌstɪs/
fixed phrase
formal
justice-focused view of reproduction issues
A way of talking about reproductive rights that also looks at race, money, and power, and how these affect people's choices and health.
Examples
- The conference focused on reproductive justice rather than just legal rights.
- Her research explores reproductive justice in low-income communities.
- Many activists use the term 'reproductive justice' to highlight wider social issues.
reproductive organs
1/ɹˌipɹədˈʌktɪv ˈɔɹɡənz/
fixed phrase
technical
body parts used in reproduction
The body parts that take part directly in making babies or new young.
Examples
- The surgery may affect the patient's reproductive organs.
- Many chemicals in the environment can damage reproductive organs.
- Doctors examined the reproductive organs for signs of disease.
reproductive rights
1/ɹˌipɹədˈʌktɪv ɹˈaɪts/
fixed phrase
formal
legal and social rights about reproduction
The legal and social rights people have to decide if, when, and how to have children, including access to related health care.
Examples
- The new law is seen by many as a major setback for reproductive rights.
- She has worked for years as an advocate for reproductive rights.
- International groups are calling for stronger protections of women's reproductive rights.
reproductive success
1/ɹˌipɹədˈʌktɪv səksˈɛs/
fixed phrase
technical
how many offspring survive and reproduce
How well an animal or plant passes on its genes, usually measured by how many of its young live and have their own young.
Examples
- The study measured the reproductive success of birds in different habitats.
- Bright colors may increase reproductive success by attracting more mates.
- Climate change is likely to affect the reproductive success of many species.
reproductive system
1/ɹˌipɹədˈʌktɪv sˈɪstəm/
fixed phrase
technical
body organs used for reproduction
The group of body organs that work together so a person, animal, or plant can make babies or new young.
Examples
- The human reproductive system includes the ovaries, uterus, and testes.
- Students drew diagrams of the male and female reproductive systems.
- Certain infections can harm the reproductive system if not treated.
reproductive technology
1/ɹˌipɹədˈʌktɪv tɛknˈɑləd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
technical
medical technology for reproduction
Medical tools and methods, such as IVF, that help people have children or control how they have children.
Examples
- Advances in reproductive technology have created new ethical questions.
- The clinic specializes in assisted reproductive technologies.
- Reproductive technology has made it possible for many infertile couples to become parents.