moneymaker
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈʌnɪmˌeɪkə/
US
- /ˈməniˌmeɪkər/
Description
- Source of profit
- Big earner
- Cash cow
- Informal: face
A "moneymaker" is usually something that brings in a lot of money. It can be a business, a product, a skill, or even a person that earns well. Think of a toy that sells out during the holidays or a small app that suddenly becomes very popular; both can be called moneymakers because they bring in strong profit. In informal speech, the word can also mean someone's face, especially in playful lines like "Protect the moneymaker!" In both uses, the tone is casual rather than formal.
The term "moneymaker" most often refers to a person, thing, business, product, or skill that makes a lot of money. It is an informal way to talk about something that is especially profitable, not just something that earns a little. A hit mobile game, a best-selling kitchen tool, or a musician's most popular tour could all be described as moneymakers because they bring in strong and steady income. The word often suggests that the profit is obvious enough for other people to notice.
It can also be used for people. For example, a star salesperson, athlete, or entertainer might be called a moneymaker if they earn a great deal or help a company earn more. In that sense, the word focuses on earning power. It may describe direct income, like a performer selling out shows, or indirect income, like a famous athlete bringing attention, ticket sales, and sponsors to a team.
There is also a separate slang use in which "moneymaker" means a person's face. This appears in joking or dramatic phrases such as "Don't hit the moneymaker" or "Protect the moneymaker," where the speaker means the face, often with the idea that looks help the person succeed. That meaning is much more informal and depends heavily on context, but it is common enough that a full description of the word should include it.
So, in everyday English, "moneymaker" usually points to something or someone that earns a lot of money, and in slang it can also point to the face. The meaning is normally easy to spot from context: business talk usually points to profit, while playful or teasing talk often points to appearance.
Examples
- 1
Film business
The sequel was a huge moneymaker for the studio.
- 2
Tourist sales
Souvenir photos are one of the park's biggest moneymakers.
- 3
Business model
The company hopes to turn its free newsletter into a moneymaker.
Pattern
turn X into a moneymaker
make X start bringing in a lot of money
- 4
Hospitality
Holiday weekends are usually the biggest moneymaker of the year for local hotels.
- 5
Sports star
Pay-per-view fights made him one of boxing's top moneymakers.
Meaning
a moneymaker can also be a person who brings in a lot of money
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- moneymakernoun