Words / C1

LOOKR-uh-tiv/ˈluːkrətɪv/

Lucrative means producing a lot of money: a lucrative contract, lucrative work. Profitable is the close twin; well paid is everyday for jobs. Lucre is old-fashioned money (filthy lucre). Do not call a grant lucrative if it does not cover the night staff it requires.

Meaning

Producing a lot of money.

Examples

• “A lucrative summer school still needs a fire certificate.”
• “Profitable is the everyday business twin. Well paid describes a person. Famous is not lucrative by itself. A surplus that depends on unpaid overtime is not a clean lucrative story.”

Good to know

Very profitable. Close: profitable. Everyday (jobs): well paid. Mix-up: lucre (money, old). Profit still needs legal cover.

Near in meaning

profitable

New