bottom-line

1 of 2

adjective

bot·​tom-line ˈbä-təm-ˌlīn 

1

: concerned only with cost or profits

2

: pragmatic, realistic

bottom-liner

ˈbä-təm-ˌlī-nər 

noun chiefly US, often disparaging

bottom line

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: the essential or salient point : crux

b

: the primary or most important consideration

2

a

: the line at the bottom of a financial report that shows the net profit or loss

b

: financial considerations (such as cost or profit or loss)

c

: the final result

Synonyms of bottom-line

Noun

• essence
• root
• heart
• core
• kernel
• point
• sum

Examples of bottom-line in a Sentence

Noun

If our flight is late, we will miss our connection. That's the bottom line.

A student with special needs can stress a school's budget, but the bottom line is that the state must provide for the child's education.

How will these changes affect our bottom line?

He's always got his eye on the bottom line.

He says his bottom line is $120,000.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The stock move overshadowed the company’s top-and-bottom-line beat and stronger-than-expected guidance. —Samantha Subin, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025

Then, Walmart gets another bottom-line boost, as a large portion of those SNAP funds get turned around and spent at Walmart. —Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025

Noun

Nonetheless, the suits could prove costly and lengthy—potentially having a material impact on the company’s bottom line. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025

Meanwhile, GammaTime and Holywater are planning to bring more of a traditional Hollywood approach by courting film and TV regulars for their products, a move that’s bound to increase the bottom line. —Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1968, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for bottom-line

• acridine
• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• atropine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine