profit

1 of 2

noun

prof·​it ˈprä-fət 

often attributive

1

: a valuable return : gain

2

: the excess of returns over expenditure in a transaction or series of transactions

especially : the excess of the selling price of goods over their cost

3

: net income usually for a given period of time

4

: the ratio of profit for a given year to the amount of capital invested or to the value of sales

5

: the compensation accruing to entrepreneurs for the assumption of risk in business enterprise as distinguished from wages or rent

profitless

ˈprä-fət-ləs 

adjective

profitwise

ˈprä-fət-ˌwīz 

adverb

profit

2 of 2

verb

profited; profiting; profits

intransitive verb

1

: to be of service or advantage : avail

2

: to derive benefit : gain

3

: to make a profit

transitive verb

: to be of service to : benefit

Synonyms

Noun

• earnings
• gain
• lucre
• net
• payoff
• proceeds
• return

Verb

• advantage
• avail
• benefit
• help
• serve

Examples of profit in a Sentence

Noun

The company made a profit this year.

Profits are up from last year.

There was a rise in profits this year.

The profits from CD sales were donated to charity.

The organization is not run for profit.

The film made $1,000,000 in profit.

The book can be read with profit by anyone who wants to understand how the system works.

Verb

It would profit him to take some computer classes.

The company has profited by selling its products online.

He profited greatly from his investments.

The island profits from tourism.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Southwest last month reported fourth-quarter profits that surpassed Wall Street estimates, on the back of improved airfares and strong holiday travel demand. —Deborah Sophia, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025

Its stock has quadrupled since the start of 2024, fueled by three consecutive quarters with a net profit of at least $150 million. —Hank Tucker, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025

Verb

Virtual Event Spaces Businesses can profit in the metaverse by developing and leasing virtual real estate for events, retail or branded experiences. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025

Investors profit from calls when the underlying security rises in price. —Yun Li, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin profectus advance, profit, from proficere

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing profit

• at a profit
• for-profit
• non-profit-making
• not-for-profit
• paper profit
• profit and loss
• profit center
• profit margin
• profit motive
• profit sharing
• profit system

Kids Definition

profit

1 of 2 noun

prof·​it ˈpräf-ət 

1

: the gain or benefit from something

2

: the gain after all the expenses are subtracted from the amount received

profitless

-ləs 

adjective

profit

2 of 2 verb

1

: to get some good out of something : gain

profit by experience

2

: to be of use to (someone) : benefit

an agreement that profited us all

Legal Definition

profit

noun

prof·​it

1

: gain in excess of expenditures: as

a

: the excess of the selling price of goods over their cost

b

: net income from a business, investment, or capital appreciation compare earnings, loss

2

: a benefit or advantage from the use of property