# lucrative

/ˈɫukɹətɪv/ (US) · /lˈuːkɹətˌɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lucrative
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. profitable

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

producing a lot of money or profit.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. worth attacking

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

describes a target that is very important or useful to destroy in a war.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She found a lucrative job in finance.
- The new trade agreement proved lucrative for local farmers.
- While the startup offered equity, the established firm presented a lucrative salary package that eliminated immediate financial risk.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.