lucrative
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of lucrative
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English lucratif, from Middle French, from Latin lucrātīvus “gainful,” from lucrāt(us) “profited” (past participle of lucrārī “to make a profit, gain by economy”; see lucre) + -īvus -ive
Explanation
Use lucrative to refer to a business or investment that makes money. While your parents might want you to pursue a lucrative career, you're committed to your plan of becoming a professional mime. This adjective is from the Latin word lucrum, meaning "profit." In Latin, lucrum also meant "greed," a negative sense preserved in the English phrase filthy lucre, or "shameful profit or gain." But the word lucrative doesn't carry a similar sense of shame — if your lawn-mowing job proves lucrative over the summer, you might be able to buy yourself a used car.
Vocabulary lists containing lucrative
Grade 10, List 2
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Hidden Figures
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Fast Food Nation
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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.
The deal aligns with AbbVie’s highly lucrative immunology business, which is largely driven by the success of its blockbuster drug Skyrizi.
From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026
Plus, the lucrative Polymarket bets that never were, and what to know about shark encounters.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026
Alison-Madueke had also been accused by prosecutors of enjoying a "life of luxury" funded by those interested in the lucrative oil and gas contracts.
From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026
It rates do go up, it would make borrowing money more expensive, but savings could be slightly more lucrative.
From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026
“Puerto Rico’s tourism industry is way more lucrative than its agriculture.”
From "Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish" by Pablo Cartaya
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.
