Etymology Map
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Profit

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means financial gain

Where does the word "profit" come from? It comes from Latin profectus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
profectus
Latin · ancient
"progress, advance"
from 'proficere', to make progress
2
Stage 2 of 3
profit
Old French · medieval
"benefit"
gain of any kind
3
Stage 3 of 3
profit
English · 1300s
"benefit"
business 'profit' followed
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Read the full story

Profit’s story begins in Latin: profectus meant “progress, advance.” From 'proficere', to make progress. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as profit. Gain of any kind. It reached English by 1300s as profit. Business 'profit' followed. Today, profit means financial gain.