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 bottom-line mandate for the Bruins on Monday night was to grab two points against the worst team in the Eastern Conference. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026

The bottom-line is that California has a housing shortage. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026

Noun

For a business, that can translate into a threat to the top and bottom lines. —Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026

The bottom line Gold and silver serve different purposes in an investment portfolio, and 2026 is shaping up to be another year where those differences matter. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Jan. 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

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