profit

[ prof-it ]

noun

1. Often profits.
   1. pecuniary gain resulting from the employment of capital in any transaction. Compare gross profit, net profit.
   2. the ratio of such pecuniary gain to the amount of capital invested.
   3. returns, proceeds, or revenue, as from property or investments.

   Synonyms: return

   Antonyms: loss

2. the monetary surplus left to a producer or employer after deducting wages, rent, cost of raw materials, etc.:

   The company works on a small margin of profit.

   Synonyms: net income

3. advantage; benefit; gain.

   Synonyms: worth, use, avail, good

verb (used without object)

1. to gain an advantage or benefit:

   He profited greatly from his schooling.

2. to make a profit.
3. to take advantage:

   to profit from the weaknesses of others.

4. to be of service or benefit.
5. to make progress.

verb (used with object)

1. to be of advantage or profit to:

   Nothing profits one so much as a sound education.

   Synonyms: help, advance

profit

/ ˈprɒfɪt /

noun

1. often plural excess of revenues over outlays and expenses in a business enterprise over a given period of time, usually a year
2. the monetary gain derived from a transaction
3. 1. income derived from property or an investment, as contrasted with capital gains
   2. the ratio of this income to the investment or principal
4. economics
   1. the income or reward accruing to a successful entrepreneur and held to be the motivating factor of all economic activity in a capitalist economy
   2. ( as modifier )

      the profit motive

5. a gain, benefit, or advantage

verb

1. to gain or cause to gain profit

Derived Forms

• ˈprofitless, adjective
• ˈprofiter, noun

Other Words From

• profit·er noun
• profit·less adjective
• profit·less·ly adverb
• profit·less·ness noun
• pro·profit adjective
• self-profit noun
• un·profit·ed adjective
• un·profit·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of profit¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the noun) Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin prōfectus “progress, profit,” noun use of past participle of prōficere “to make progress,” from prō- pro- ¹ + -ficere, combining form of facere “to do, make” ( fact ); verb derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of profit¹

C14: from Latin prōfectus advance, from prōficere to make progress; see proficient

Example Sentences

All the scenarios result in lower annual farm profits by year 30 of the simulations.

From Science Daily

Now, they’re on the cusp of owning the property themselves — with a promise to keep it affordable and never make a significant profit from it.

From Los Angeles Times

The cable channels were NBCUniversal’s equivalent of blue skies, routinely delivering three-quarters of the company’s profit.

From Los Angeles Times

The government also cites the nature of Hanni's income, which is deemed to be "profit sharing, rather than wages", according to local reports, adding that she pays business income tax rather than employment income tax.

From BBC

“What bothers me is that after the first sale, the artist no longer profits as the work changes hands,” he said in an interview.

From New York Times

Related Words

• contribute
• earn
• improve
• pay off
• prosper
• take advantage of
• thrive

When To Use

What are other ways to say profit?

A profit is a gain or valuable return. How does it differ from an advantage or a benefit? Find out on Thesaurus.com.