Word
lucrative
Phoneticslu·cra·tive, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫukɹətɪv/
UK/lˈuːkɹətˌɪv/
Definitions
01profitable
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
adj. producing a lot of money or profit.
adj. producing a great deal of profit or wealth; highly remunerative.
“She left her teaching job to start a lucrative career in software design.”
“The investment firm identified several lucrative opportunities in emerging markets that had been overlooked by their competitors.”
Usage
Often used to describe careers, contracts, deals, or markets.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02worth attacking
C1 · Advanced Science Technical · Formal
adj. describes a target that is very important or useful to destroy in a war.
adj. referring to a target whose destruction provides a significant tactical or strategic advantage.
“The enemy's supply bridge was a lucrative target for the air force.”
“Intelligence reports suggested that the fuel depot was a lucrative target, as its destruction would immobilise the entire regional transport network.”
Teaching tip
In this military sense, 'lucrative' does not mean money-making; it means the 'payoff' in terms of damage to the enemy is high.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“It helps that their Abu Dhabi ownership opened their wallets to ensure top scorer Khadija Shaw performed a U-turn in May and signed a lucrative new contract.” “They can then be resold after five years, which has become a lucrative business.” “A return to acting could be lucrative for Meghan.” Etymology
Borrowed from French lucratif, from Latin lucrativus (“profitable”), from lucratus, past participle of lucror (“to gain”), from lucrum (“gain”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *leh₂w- (“profit, gain”). Compare Spanish lucrar. By surface analysis, lucre + -ative.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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