ENGLISH
REFERENCE

profitable

adj.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈpɹɑfətəbəɫ// UK //pɹˈɒfɪtəbəl// prof·itable

adj. making more money than you spend. You use this to describe a business or an activity that brings in a good financial gain.

adj. yielding a financial profit or gain; resulting in a surplus after all expenses are paid. Can also describe an activity that is beneficial or useful in a non-monetary sense.


SIMPLE

The small bakery became profitable after only six months.

CONTEXTUAL

The company decided to close its underperforming branches and focus on its most profitable markets.

COMPLEX

While the initial investment was substantial, the long-term projections suggest the venture will be highly profitable once the infrastructure is fully operational.

Antonyms
Origin

From Old French profitable, equivalent to profit + -able.

Usage

Commonly used with the verb 'to be' or 'to become'; often modified by degree adverbs like 'highly' or 'marginally'.

Pitfall

The business is very profitThe business is very profitableLearners sometimes use the noun 'profit' where the adjective 'profitable' is required to describe a state.

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