What does remunerative mean?
Remunerative is an adjective describing something that provides a financial reward, especially work, employment, or a professional opportunity. A highly remunerative position pays well or offers strong financial advantages, while remunerative work is undertaken primarily for its income rather than for purposes such as leisure, study, or personal service. The word is common in formal British and American English in recruitment advertising, career advice, business journalism, and professional negotiations. It can sound somewhat impersonal because it emphasizes monetary value instead of personal fulfillment, although that is its principal distinction from the broader word “rewarding.” Remunerative is particularly useful when describing a role that is economically attractive but may not offer intellectual, social, or personal benefits. Related terms include “remunerate,” meaning to pay or compensate, and “remuneration,” meaning payment received for work or services.
adjectiveProviding or yielding financial reward; profitable or lucrative.
- Providing or yielding financial reward; profitable or lucrative.
"The company was willing to offer a highly remunerative salary to the successful candidate."
"The consultancy offered a highly remunerative contract to experienced software engineers."
"Volunteering can be personally rewarding even when it is not remunerative."
Remunerative puts a price tag on praise: it means financially rewarding, not merely personally fulfilling.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does remunerative come from?
The English adjective was borrowed in the early 17th century from French rémunératif, ultimately from Latin remunerare, meaning “to repay” or “to reward.” Latin remunerare is associated with munus, meaning “gift,” “service,” or “obligation,” reflecting the idea of giving something in return. English later developed the closely related forms remunerate and remuneration from the same Latin source.
Related word forms
How remunerative is actually used
Formal and commonly used in professional contexts, especially employment, business, and career discussions. Its focus is financial reward rather than emotional or intellectual satisfaction.
Easily confused with remunerative
Remunerative describes work or an opportunity that provides financial reward, whereas remuneration is the payment or reward received.