Profitable
/ˈprɒfɪtəbəl/noun
Able to produce a financial gain or advantage.
Did you know?Profit comes from Latin profectus, meaning “advance” or “progress,” so the original energy was less “money” and more “moving forward” — a subtle reminder that growth itself was once the real gain.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
proficere
“to accomplish, make progress, be of use”
Latin
Latin
profectus
“advancement, progress, success”
Old French
Old French
profitable
“advantageous, useful, profitable”
Middle English
English
profitable
“bringing benefit or gain”
Modern English
English
profitable
“able to produce profit”
Explore more surprising origins