noun

1. advantage; gain; benefit
2. 1. monetary gain from business transactions
   2. the ratio of this to the amount of capital invested
   3. proceeds from property or investments
3. the sum remaining after all costs, direct and indirect, are deducted from the income of a business, the selling price, etc.

Etymology: OFr < L profectus, pp. of proficere, to profit, lit., to advance: see proficient

intransitive verb

1. to be of advantage or benefit
2. to reap an advantage, financial or otherwise; benefit

transitive verb