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

If exceeding delivery targets fails to spark a rally, meeting or slightly beating bottom-line earnings will likely be greeted glumly by Wall Street. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 20 July 2026

The pros expect no let-up in bottom-line growth, and with Comfort Systems paying out just 7% of this year’s earnings estimates, there’s no reason to expect any let-up in the distribution. — Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Noun

The bottom line for now is that oysters carry compounds with real biological plausibility for supporting testosterone production, particularly in people who are zinc-deficient. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026

The bottom line Country Club Plaza remains Kansas City’s signature shopping and dining district, offering architecture, culture and entertainment just minutes from Arrowhead stadium. — Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026

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

• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine
• caroline
• centerline