Profitable

ˈprɒfɪtəbəl

adjectivemedium📊CommonEconomics
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Producing a financial profit or a favorable result.

ˈprɒfɪtəbəl

adjectivepositivemedium
Economics

Yielding profit or financial gain.

The new venture proved to be a very profitable business.

💡 Simply: Imagine you sell lemonade, and you make more money than you spent on lemons and sugar. That lemonade stand is profitable! It means you're making money and doing well.

👶 For kids: When something makes money or helps you win, it's profitable! Like if you sell toys and people buy them.

More Examples

2

Investing in real estate can be a profitable way to build wealth.

3

The farm had a profitable harvest this year thanks to the good weather.

How It's Used

Business

"The company's recent investment proved to be highly profitable."

Economics

"A profitable market attracts new competitors."

2

Providing benefit or advantage; useful or helpful.

ˈprɒfɪtəbəl

adjectivepositivemedium
General

Beneficial or useful; advantageous.

The workshop proved to be a very profitable experience for the participants.

💡 Simply: Imagine you have a really helpful friend who always gives you good advice. That friendship is profitable because it helps you in many ways.

👶 For kids: If something helps you learn or do something good, it's profitable!

More Examples

2

His advice was profitable, and I'm grateful for his insight.

3

The study of history can be a profitable endeavor, teaching us valuable lessons.

How It's Used

Personal Development

"Reading is a profitable activity for the mind."

Social Science

"The discussions were a profitable exercise in diplomacy."

Tip:Think of the 'fit' aspect - if something is profitable it 'fits' your needs and is advantageous.

Idioms & expressions

make a profit

To gain financially from something.

"The company hopes to make a profit this quarter."

From Middle English profitabil, from Old French profitable, from profiter ("to profit").

The word 'profitable' has been used since the 14th century and has consistently referred to something yielding financial gain or benefit.

Memory tip

Think of a 'pro' and a 'fit' – if something is profitable, it's a 'pro' fit for your finances.

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"to profit"

highly profitableprofitable businessprofitable investmentprofitable ventureprofitable deal

Common misspellings

profittableprofitibleproffitable

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written