the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
adj. Profitable; advantageous; lucrative.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
Producing profit or advantage; advancing interest or happiness; profitable; advantageous; lucrative.
Contrary; disposed to get the advantage; fractious.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
adj. yielding a fair profit
Word Usage
"The term gainful employment, has been in the statute for over 40 years, and during the most recent reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, there was no debate or discussion about a need to further define the term."