Word of the Day: Profit
If a person makes more money than he or she spends on a business venture, that extra money is called a “profit.” The word “profit” is also similar to the word “benefit.”
- Jeff has profited from his experience as a cook. (It has been a good experience.)
- Sandra profits from having a good relationship with her parents. (This sentence is in the present tense.)
- You will not profit from cheating.
- The pizza place is profiting from an excellent location. (This sentence is in the present continuous tense.)
- What profit is it to a man who gains the world yet forfeits his soul? (a quote from The Bible, Mark 8:36)
Of course, this word is often used as a noun:
- Maria made a huge profit from selling flowers on Valentine’s Day.
- They aren’t going to make a profit this year because their business is just getting started.
- It will take them a few years to make a profit.
- Jerry’s net profit last year was $45,000. (net profit = money made after expenses and taxes are subtracted.)
- Theresa’s gross profit was $20,000, but after subtracting her expenses, it turns out she didn’t really make that much.
To make the adjective form, add “able” to the end of “profit.”
- 2015 was a profitable year for their business.
- The mobile phone industry has been very profitable in recent years.
- The oil industry today is not as profitable as was five years ago.
- We stopped selling that product because it wasn’t profitable.
Essential English Dictionary
Visit the Popular English Words Beginning with P page to see the list of all words starting with letter P. For seeing the HiCafe dictionary, visit the Popular English Words with Meaning page.
