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.
Noun
The top-line figure lagged behind analysts’ consensus forecast but the company beat expectations on the bottom line. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2025 The company outperformed expectations on its bottom line, reporting net income of $335 million in the fourth quarter compared to a $2 billion loss in the same period of 2023. Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2025 The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said the industry failed to realize its typical 1.5% to 2% annual improvement in fuel efficiency in 2024, hurting the bottom lines of airlines as well as the battle against climate change. Oliver Wyman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 That started a trend of the city repeatedly leaning on the devices as a way to raise funds in recent years, even while Emanuel insisted the program was meant to improve safety near schools and parks, not bolster the bottom line. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Bottom-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bottom-line. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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