ENGLISH
REFERENCE

unprofitable

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ənˈpɹɑfɪtəbəɫ// UK //ʌnpɹˈɒfɪtəbəl// un·prof·itable

adj. describing a business or activity that does not make enough money to cover its costs. You use this when a company is losing money instead of gaining it.

adj. failing to generate a financial return sufficient to cover the costs of production or operation. Often used to describe a business venture or investment that results in a net loss.


SIMPLE

The small shop became unprofitable after the new tax law.

CONTEXTUAL

The company decided to close its unprofitable branch in the city center to save money.

COMPLEX

Despite significant initial investment, the mining operation remained unprofitable due to volatile commodity prices and rising operational costs in the remote region.

Antonyms
Origin

From un- + profitable.

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