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

In two public surveys conducted as part of the research, Keserű said, participants were outraged and felt exploited in scenarios where their health data were sold for a profit without their knowledge.

From Los Angeles Times

But much depends on how much profit margin they have, especially if high tariffs are implemented on all imported goods, not just ones from China.

From Salon

Instead, he seeks to unjustly profit from his killing of my daughter.

From Salon

In a statement issued by her lawyer she said she regards the premiere as an attempt to profit from her daughter’s death.

From BBC

Only two sessions were held and the club received no profit from the academy.

From BBC

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.