Words / B2

PROF-it-uh-bl/ˈprɒfɪtəbl/

Profitable means making a profit, or useful because you gain something from it: a profitable line; a profitable discussion. Profit is the noun (already in the dictionary); lucrative is a close twin. A profitable line still needs the cost column. Mix-up: prophet; probable. Do not write profitable for “I enjoyed it” without gain.

Meaning

Making a profit; also useful because you gain something from it.

Examples

• “A profitable line still needs the cost column in the accounts extract.”
• “A profitable exchange of ideas featured in the minutes, which is the worthwhile sense.”

Good to know

a profitable + noun; highly profitable. Noun: profit. Close: lucrative. Trap: prophet / enjoyable. Business and evaluations. Makes money, or worthwhile — specify.

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