profitable
PROF-ih-tuh-bl
Profitable (adj) means producing a financial profit. Example: “Their small bakery became profitable within its first year of trading.”
adj
1
Producing a financial profit.
"Their small bakery became profitable within its first year of trading."
"Is the farm profitable enough to support two families?"
"Profitable operation is being made possible by the widespread introduction of capacious diesel railcars, which for their comfort and speed are very popular with the travelling public."
— , Reviving U.S.A. Passenger Traffic (1953)
"The new product line quickly became profitable."
2
Useful or beneficial, even without a financial angle.
"We had a profitable chat with the neighbours about the garden wall."
"Time spent learning basic first aid is always profitable."
"It was a profitable afternoon spent reading up on the topic."
How to use profitable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMaking money — or, more loosely, worthwhile.
Common pairings
a profitable business
highly profitable
profitable venture
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more profitable
- Superlative
- most profitable
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Their small bakery became _____ within its first year of trading.
Etymology
From Old French profitable, built from "profit" plus the suffix "-able."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for profitable
See all rhymes for profitable →Frequently asked questions
What does “profitable” mean?
The word “profitable” means producing a financial profit. In plain terms, making money — or, more loosely, worthwhile.
How do you pronounce “profitable”?
“Profitable” is pronounced PROF-ih-tuh-bl (/ˈpɹɑ.fɪ.tə.bl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “profitable” in a sentence?
Here is “profitable” used in a sentence: “The new product line quickly became profitable.”
What is another word for “profitable”?
Words with a similar meaning to “profitable” include beneficial and lucrative.
What is the opposite of “profitable”?
The opposite of “profitable” — its antonyms — is unprofitable.
What part of speech is “profitable”?
“Profitable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “profitable” come from?
The word “profitable” comes from Old French. From Old French profitable, built from "profit" plus the suffix "-able.".
Is “profitable” a common word?
“Profitable” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between profitable and lucrative?
Both describe activities that make money, but lucrative suggests producing large profits, while profitable simply means producing a financial profit of any size. Profitable also has a wider sense that lucrative lacks: useful or beneficial, as in "a profitable discussion."
Can profitable describe something that has nothing to do with money?
Yes. Beyond its financial sense, profitable means useful or beneficial, so an afternoon of study or a long conversation can be profitable if you gain something worthwhile from it.
What is the difference between profitable and beneficial?
Beneficial means producing good effects of any kind, while profitable puts the emphasis on gain, especially financial gain. A business is profitable when it earns more than it spends; exercise is beneficial but would not normally be called profitable.
What is the noun form of profitable?
The noun is profitability, meaning the ability of a business or activity to produce a financial profit. The related noun profit names the money actually gained.
