Word
unprofitable
Phoneticsun·prof·itable
US/ənˈpɹɑfɪtəbəɫ/
UK/ʌnpɹˈɒfɪtəbəl/
Definition
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.
Examples
“The small shop became unprofitable after the new tax law.”
“The company decided to close its unprofitable branch in the city center to save money.”
“Despite significant initial investment, the mining operation remained unprofitable due to volatile commodity prices and rising operational costs in the remote region.”
Examples
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.”
Real-World Examples
“The problem is that recycling much of this plastic waste is currently unfeasible and unprofitable.” “Uber has not said that Nigeria or Uganda were unprofitable, nor has it provided a detailed country-by-country explanation for the exits.” Etymology
From un- + profitable.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/unprofitable