gainful

[ geyn-fuhl ]

adjective

1. profitable; lucrative:

   gainful employment.

gainful

/ ˈɡeɪnfʊl /

adjective

1. profitable; lucrative

   gainful employment

Derived Forms

• ˈgainfully, adverb
• ˈgainfulness, noun

Other Words From

• gainful·ly adverb
• gainful·ness noun
• un·gainful adjective
• un·gainful·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gainful¹

First recorded in 1545–55; gain ¹ + -ful

Example Sentences

The bad news was that I had absolutely no idea how to find gainful employment.

From Salon

The Education Department’s gainful employment rule targets college programs that leave graduates with high debt compared to their expected earnings.

From Seattle Times

"I ended up in another toxic, damaging relationship, lost hope of gainful employment and life got exponentially worse," she says.

From BBC

His medical insurance is running out, and despite his goal of gainful employment, Truelove hopes to be approved for disability benefits.

From Los Angeles Times

The victims targeted were ineligible for COVID-19 unemployment benefits in California for varying reasons, including retirement, gainful employment, or being incarcerated.

From Washington Times