bottom-line

1 of 2

adjective

bot·​tom-line ˈbä-təm-ˌlīn How to pronounce bottom-line (audio)
1
: concerned only with cost or profits
2
bottom-liner 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The company’s strong presence in cardiology, endoscopy, and neuromodulation has contributed to impressive top and bottom-line growth. Michael Khouw, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2025 More than anything, the bottom-line dilemma stems from rising costs on several fronts. Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
Leaders across the industry are fighting to combat a global luxury slowdown and searching for new ways to maintain relevancy, reinvigorate their relationships with shoppers, while improving their bottom line. Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025 Business solutions provider Expert Market, in its latest Food & Beverage Industry Report, found that a majority plan to raise prices to offset the impact of these factors on their bottom lines. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bottom-line

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1968, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bottom-line was in 1830

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Bottom-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bottom-line. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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