profitable - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
profitable Word Meanings
- yielding financial gain
- beneficial in terms of profit
- resulting in advantageous outcomes
profitable Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
profitable Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈprɒfɪtəbl/
US
/ˈprɔfɪtəbl/
profitable Word Etymology
Profitable is composed of 'pro-' (for) and 'fit' (to make fit). Its historical origin traces back to Latin 'profitabilis' through Old French 'profitable' to English. Imagine a farmer who grows crops that not only feed him but also allow him to sell excess at the market, creating 'profit' from his land.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I move a price tag on a shelf and watch the numbers click. I adjust the display, keep an eye on customers, and shift my plan as lines form. The moment the total climbs, my effort feels like steering a light boat toward a new horizon. This little flow ends in a single, clear truth: profitable.
Real Context
Profitable means that something yields financial gain or creates a benefit, especially in business, investments, or ventures. It describes activities, products, or decisions that bring more money in than they cost, or that improve overall outcomes in a way that can be measured in dollars. In usage, profitable is often contrasted with unprofitable or break-even situations, and it can apply to long-term strategies (a profitable market plan) as well as short-term results (a profitable sale). The word carries a sense of practical value and efficiency, not just cleverness. People typically discuss profitability when budgeting, pricing, and forecasting, and it is a key goal for entrepreneurs and managers.
Usage Reminders
- - Use profitable to describe actual financial gain, not just popularity.
- - Compare with unprofitable or break-even.
- - Often used with nouns like 'business', 'investment', 'product', 'decision'.
- - Can refer to long-term strategies or short-term results.
- - Watch for phrases: 'highly profitable', 'profitable margin', 'profitable venture'.
Common Misconceptions
- Profitable means being expensive or costly, which is false.
- It only applies to large corporations, not individuals or small ventures.
- Profitable implies cleverness alone; real profitability requires value creation.
- A high profit margin is always implied by 'profitable'. (volume can make small margins profitable)
- Profitable describes a one-time event rather than a recurring ability.
Thinking Differences
English speakers link profitable to concrete financial outcomes and easily compare gains vs costs; learners often confuse profitability with mere success or cleverness, so practice with numbers and contexts.
Learning Tips
- Practice with numbers: compare cost and revenue to judge profitability.
- Learn key collocations: profitable venture, highly profitable, profit margin.
- Differentiate profitability from popularity or cleverness.
- Use profitability in budgeting, pricing, and forecasting contexts.
- Study contrasts: profitable vs unprofitable vs break-even.
- Follow real-world data: read quarterly reports to see profitability in action.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What does the word 'profitable' mean?
A.Difficult
B.Random
C.Easy
D.Beneficial
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'profitable' correctly?
A.The task was impossible to complete.
B.I want to explore the unknown.
C.The business was very successful and profitable.
D.He failed to achieve his goals.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is a synonym of 'profitable'?
A.Unprofitable
B.Useless
C.Fruitful
D.Harmful
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is an antonym of 'profitable'?
A.Beneficial
B.Losing
C.Invaluable
D.Valueless
Step 5: Mastery
In what situation would you describe something as 'profitable'?
A.When a person is sad.
B.When a business makes a lot of money.
C.When a project fails completely.
D.When something is very difficult.
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