Definition

1. Noun:

   • The advantageous quality of being beneficial: The gain or advantage obtained from something.
   • The excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time: The financial gain when the amount earned from a business activity exceeds the expenses, costs, and taxes.

2. Verb:

   • To make a profit; gain money or materially: To obtain a financial advantage or benefit.
   • To derive a benefit from: To gain an advantage or learn from an experience or situation.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The new policy was of great profit to the community. (The new policy provided a significant benefit to the community.)
  • The company reported a large profit this quarter. (The company announced its financial earnings were much higher than its costs this quarter.)

• Verb:

  • The store hopes to profit from the holiday sales. (The store hopes to gain money from the holiday sales.)
  • She profited greatly from her mentor's advice. (She gained significant benefit from her mentor's advice.)

Advanced Usage

• "To turn a profit": To begin to earn money after a period of not earning any.
  • The startup finally turned a profit in its third year.
• "At a profit": Sold or done in a way that results in financial gain.
  • He sold his old car at a profit.
• "Profit margin": The difference between the cost of producing something and the price at which it is sold.
  • The company's profit margin has increased.

Variants and Related Words

• Profitable (adj): Yielding profit or financial gain; beneficial.
  • It was a profitable investment.
• Profitability (n): The degree to which a business or activity yields profit or financial gain.
  • The profitability of the venture is uncertain.
• Profiteer (n/verb): A person who makes an excessive profit, often by unethical means like selling scarce goods at high prices.
  • The war profiteer was widely condemned.

Synonyms

• Noun: Gain, benefit, advantage, earnings, return.
• Verb: Gain, benefit, earn, capitalize.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Profit from: To gain an advantage or benefit from something.
  • You should profit from this valuable opportunity.
• Profit by: To learn from or be helped by an experience (often used interchangeably with "profit from").
  • I hope you will profit by my mistake.

Related Idioms

• To one's profit: For one's benefit or advantage.
  • He studied the market to his profit.
• Make a profit: To earn more money than is spent.
  • The goal of most businesses is to make a profit.

Noun

1. the advantageous quality of being beneficial
2. the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)

Verb

1. make a profit; gain money or materially
   • The company has not profited from the merger
2. derive a benefit from
   • She profited from his vast experience