Profit vs. Prophet

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Grammarist

Profit and prophet are two words that are pronounced in the same manner but are spelled differently and have different meanings. They are homophones. We will examine the difference between the definitions of profit and prophet, where these two words came from and some examples of their use in sentences.

Profit means the amount of money one has gained, the difference between the cost of manufacturing something or producing service and the amount one is paid for that item or service. Profit may also mean any advantage or any benefit. The word profit may be used as a noun or an intransitive verb, which is a verb that does not take an object. Related words are profits, profited, profiting, profitable. The word profit is derived from the Latin word profectus, which means advance, success or increase.

A prophet is a person who others believe has been chosen by God in order to impart knowledge. Prophet may also be someone who can foretell the future. The word prophet is also used figuratively to mean a visionary, someone who invents new ways of doing things. A female prophet is a prophetess. The word prophet is derived from the Greek word prophetes, which means an interpreter or a spokesman for the gods.

Examples

Concerned that for-profit schools that don’t deliver on promises may come roaring back under President Trump, advocates for students, teachers, and veterans urged Congress Wednesday to refrain from rolling back regulations enforcing the industry. (USA Today)

The profits beat the utility’s predictions by $311 million, which Hydro-Québec attributes to growing electricity exports and cost-cutting measures it achieved through reducing its staff. (The Montreal Gazette)

“Authorities can conduct a referendum if they want and ask if social media is more important or the respect of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” he said. (The Nation)

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