gainful

[geyn-fuhl] / ˈgeɪn fəl /

ADJECTIVE

very productive, profitable

Synonyms

WEAK

advantageous beneficial fat fruitful generous going going concern good in the black lucrative lush moneymaking paid off paying remunerative rewarding rich satisfying substantial sweet useful well-paying worthwhile

Antonyms

WEAK

disadvantageous unproductive unprofitable useless

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.

Pivoting was her “best chance at obtaining gainful employment,” she added.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

We’ve known for years about the slow flight of working-age men from gainful employment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

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 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

Vocabulary lists containing gainful

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