Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Remaining after all deductions: "net" describes an amount that is left after subtracting all necessary costs, taxes, or expenses.
   • Final, conclusive: "net" can describe the ultimate result or effect after everything has been considered.

2. Noun:

   • An open fabric of string or rope: "net" is a material made of threads or wires woven or tied together with spaces in between.
   • A piece of netting used in sports: "net" refers to the barrier dividing a court or the goal structure in games like tennis, soccer, or hockey.
   • A trap made of netting: "net" is a device for catching animals, such as fish, birds, or insects.
   • A system of interconnected lines or channels: "net" can mean a network, such as a transportation or communications system.
   • The excess of revenues over outlays: In finance, "net" is the final profit or amount remaining after all expenses.

3. Verb:

   • To catch with a net: "net" means to capture something using a net.
   • To gain or yield as a net profit: "net" means to earn a final amount of money after all deductions.
   • To cover or enclose with a net: "net" can mean to put a net over something.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The net price is $50 after the discount.
  • What was the net effect of the policy change?

• Noun:

  • The fisherman mended his torn net.
  • The soccer ball hit the back of the net.
  • They were caught in a net of deception.
  • The company reported a net of $2 million for the quarter.

• Verb:

  • They managed to net several trout from the river.
  • The movie is expected to net over $100 million at the box office.
  • We need to net the strawberry plants to protect them from birds.

Advanced Usage

• "Net result": The final outcome after all factors are considered.

  • The net result of the negotiations was a compromise.

• "Slip through the net": To avoid being caught or noticed by a system of control.

  • A few errors slipped through the net during the review.

• "Cast/widen one's net": To expand the range of one's search or efforts.

  • The recruiter cast a wide net to find the right candidate.

Variants and Related Words

• Netting (n): Material made of net; the act of making or using a net.

  • The netting around the tennis court is new.

• Network (n): An interconnected system. (Note: This is a compound word listed separately as a variant).

  • She has a large professional network.

• Internet (n): The global computer network. (Note: This is a compound word listed separately as a variant).

Synonyms

• Adjective: Final, clear, ultimate, take-home (informal, for income).
• Noun: Mesh, web, trap, profit, earnings.
• Verb: Catch, trap, earn, clear, realize.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Net out: To result in a final amount; to be calculated as a net figure.
  • After all the fees, it should net out to about $500.

Related Idioms

• A safety net: A system or plan that provides security against potential hardship.

  • Savings act as a financial safety net.

• Spread one's net: Similar to "cast one's net," meaning to try many different things or places.

  • The police spread their net in search of the suspect.

Adjective

1. conclusive in a process or progression
   • the final answer
   • a last resort
   • the net result
2. remaining after all deductions
   • net profit

Noun

1. an open fabric of string or rope or wire woven together at regular intervals
2. game equipment consisting of a strip of netting dividing the playing area in tennis or badminton
3. a goal lined with netting (as in soccer or hockey)
4. the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)
5. a trap made of netting to catch fish or birds or insects
6. a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange

Verb

1. catch with a net
   • net a fish
2. construct or form a web, as if by weaving
3. yield as a net profit
   • This sale netted me $1 million
4. make as a net profit
   • The company cleared $1 million