gainful
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- gainfully adverb
- gainfulness noun
- ungainful adjective
- ungainfully adverb
Etymology
Origin of gainful
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I think the history of technology innovation is that people have re-skilled and have found gainful employment in other aspects of the economy,” said Joe Baratta, global head of Blackstone’s private-equity business.
From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 27, 2025
The few companies which offer deportees gainful employment have become even more important to avoid a slide into criminality.
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2025
His medical insurance is running out, and despite his goal of gainful employment, Truelove hopes to be approved for disability benefits.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 23, 2023
The victims targeted were ineligible for COVID-19 unemployment benefits in California for varying reasons, including retirement, gainful employment, or being incarcerated.
From Washington Times • Jul. 11, 2023
I miss work, but I also miss what work meant to me in my last year of gainful employment, when I met Tom.
From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
