gainful

American  

[geyn-fuhl] / ˈgeɪn fəl /

adjective

1. profitable; lucrative.

   gainful employment.

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gainful British  

/ ˈɡeɪnfʊl /

adjective

1. profitable; lucrative

   gainful employment

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Other Word Forms

• gainfully adverb
• gainfulness noun
• ungainful adjective
• ungainfully adverb

Etymology

Origin of gainful

First recorded in 1545–55; gain ¹ + -ful

Example Sentences

“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

So, accustomed to a regular paycheck from gainful employment for the previous 28 years, I was now a start-up, spelling a whole new ballgame.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2025

"I ended up in another toxic, damaging relationship, lost hope of gainful employment and life got exponentially worse," she says.

From BBC • Nov. 18, 2023

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 argument went that we benefitted from compulsory education, as it provides a livelihood for formerly enslaved, who couldn’t find gainful employment after the war.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland