Growth & Fertility Vocabulary

producing or capable of producing much fruit or vegetation

“The fecund valley provided food for the entire region.”

Origin: Latin fecundus (fruitful, fertile)

producing much fruit, foliage, or offspring

“The prolific author published dozens of novels.”

Origin: Latin prolificus, from proles (offspring) + facere (to make)

green with grass or other rich vegetation

“The verdant hillsides glowed in the spring sunlight.”

Origin: Old French verdoyant, from Latin viridis (green)

growing luxuriantly; rich and profuse

“The lush tropical garden was alive with color.”

Origin: Middle English lush (soft, tender), possibly from Old French lasche (loose)

rich and profuse in growth; lush

“Her luxuriant hair cascaded down her back.”

Origin: Latin luxuriant- (growing rankly), from luxuriare (to grow profusely)

beginning to grow or increase rapidly

“The burgeoning population strained resources.”

Origin: Old French burjon (bud, shoot), from Latin burra (wool, fluff)

developing rapidly and successfully; thriving

“The flourishing economy created new opportunities.”

Origin: Latin florere (to bloom), from flos (flower)

prospering; flourishing

“The thriving community attracted new businesses.”

Origin: Old Norse þrifask (to grasp for oneself, prosper)

to begin to grow and develop

“Seeds need moisture and warmth to germinate.”

Origin: Latin germinare (to sprout), from germen (sprout, seed)

to breed specimens of a plant or animal; to spread

“Some plants propagate through runners or cuttings.”

Origin: Latin propagare (to multiply plants), from propago (offspring, slip)