profits

prof·it  (prft)

n.

1. An advantageous gain or return; benefit.

2. The return received on a business undertaking after all operating expenses have been met.

3.

a. The return received on an investment after all charges have been paid. Often used in the plural.

b. The rate of increase in the net worth of a business enterprise in a given accounting period.

c. Income received from investments or property.

d. The amount received for a commodity or service in excess of the original cost.

v. prof·it·ed, prof·it·ing, prof·its

v.intr.

1. To make a gain or profit.

2. To derive advantage; benefit: profiting from the other team's mistakes. See Synonyms at benefit.

v.tr.

To be beneficial to.

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[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin prfectus, from past participle of prficere, make progress, to profit : pr-, forward; see pro-¹ + facere, to make; see dh- in Indo-European roots.]

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profit·less adj.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	profits - the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses) earnings, net income, net profit, profit, lucre, net income - the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time earning per share - the portion of a company's profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock windfall profit - profit that occurs unexpectedly as a consequence of some event not controlled by those who profit from it cleanup, killing - a very large profit fast buck, quick buck - quick or easy earnings, "they are traders out to make a fast buck" filthy lucre - shameful profit; "he would sell his soul for filthy lucre" gross profit, gross profit margin, margin - (finance) the net sales minus the cost of goods and services sold share, percentage, portion, part - assets belonging to or due to or contributed by an individual person or group; "he wanted his share in cash" markup - the amount added to the cost to determine the asking price accumulation - (finance) profits that are not paid out as dividends but are added to the capital base of the corporation dividend - that part of the earnings of a corporation that is distributed to its shareholders; usually paid quarterly
	2.	profits - something won (especially money)     winnings, win financial gain - the amount of monetary gain