profitable

adj

Etymology: From Old French profitable, equivalent to profit + -able.

1. Producing a profit.

   “Profitable operation is being made possible by the widespread introduction of capacious diesel railcars, which for their comfort and speed are very popular with the travelling public.”

   “The dirty secret of the internet is that all this distraction and interruption is immensely profitable. Web companies like to boast about "creating compelling content", or offering services that let you "stay up to date with what your friends are doing"[…]and so on. But the real way to build a successful online business is to be better than your rivals at undermining people's control of their own attention.”

2. Beneficial, serviceable, of use.

   “I wylbe ferme and ſtabyll And to yow ſeruyceabyll And also prophytabyll Yf ye be agreabyll My propyr Beſſe To turne a gayne to me”

   “Great Men, taken up in any way, are profitable company.”