lucrative
LOO-kruh-tihv
Lucrative (adjective) means generating a lot of profit; financially rewarding. Example: “She left teaching for a more lucrative career in finance.”
adjective
1
Generating a lot of profit; financially rewarding.
"She left teaching for a more lucrative career in finance."
"The company signed a lucrative deal with a major retailer."
How to use lucrative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something — usually a job, deal, or business — that makes good money.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
lucrative deal
lucrative contract
lucrative career
highly lucrative
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more lucrative
- Superlative
- most lucrative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She left teaching for a more _____ career in finance.
Etymology
From French lucratif, from Latin lucrativus ("profitable"), ultimately from lucrum, meaning "gain" or "profit."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
nonlucrative
Related words
Rhymes for lucrative
See all rhymes for lucrative →Frequently asked questions
What does “lucrative” mean?
The word “lucrative” means generating a lot of profit; financially rewarding. In plain terms, describes something — usually a job, deal, or business — that makes good money.
How do you pronounce “lucrative”?
“Lucrative” is pronounced LOO-kruh-tihv (/ˈlu.kɹə.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “lucrative” in a sentence?
Here is “lucrative” used in a sentence: “She left teaching for a more lucrative career in finance.”
What is the opposite of “lucrative”?
The opposite of “lucrative” — its antonyms — is nonlucrative.
What part of speech is “lucrative”?
“Lucrative” is an adjective.
Where does the word “lucrative” come from?
The word “lucrative” comes from Latin. From French lucratif, from Latin lucrativus ("profitable"), ultimately from lucrum, meaning "gain" or "profit.".
Is “lucrative” a common word?
“Lucrative” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "lucrative" and "profitable"?
Both describe something that generates profit, but "lucrative" often implies a particularly large or attractive amount of financial reward, while "profitable" simply means it earns more than it costs. A business can be profitable without being especially lucrative.
What kinds of things are typically described as "lucrative"?
"Lucrative" is commonly used to describe careers, deals, contracts, markets, or business opportunities that are financially rewarding. It focuses on the money-making potential rather than other qualities like enjoyment or ease.
Is "lucrative" a formal or everyday word?
"Lucrative" is used in both everyday and formal or business contexts, appearing naturally in casual conversation as well as financial and professional writing.
