revenue
C1Formal; most common in business, economics, government, and financial reporting.
Definition
Meaning
The total income produced by a given source, typically from business activities, investments, or taxation.
Refers to the money a company, organisation, or government receives, especially on a regular basis, from its normal business activities, taxes, or investments. In public sector contexts, it often means the state's annual income from which public expenses are met.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A collective, uncountable noun focusing on the *stream* of income rather than individual payments. Implies regularity and systematic collection. Contrasts with 'profit' (revenue minus expenses).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major semantic differences. The word is used identically in both business and public finance contexts.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in everyday British English; in American English, it's a standard, neutral business/finance term.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in professional contexts in both varieties. 'Turnover' is a closer British synonym for a company's total sales income.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Company/Government] + generate/earn + revenue + from + [source][Source] + account for + [percentage] + of + revenueRevenue + from + [activity] + verb + [amount]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The bottom line (refers to net profit, but related to revenue)”
- “Follow the money (investigative, often related to revenue streams)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company's third-quarter revenue exceeded analysts' forecasts.
Academic
The study examined the correlation between tourism development and municipal revenue.
Everyday
The new online subscription has become a significant source of revenue for the local newspaper.
Technical
Deferred revenue is recorded as a liability on the balance sheet until the service is performed.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The firm's revenue comes primarily from software licences.
- HM Revenue & Customs is responsible for tax collection.
- A drop in advertising revenue forced the channel to cancel the show.
American English
- The startup's revenue doubled in its second year.
- The Internal Revenue Service issued new guidelines.
- Ticket revenue from the concert will go to charity.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The shop's revenue was higher in December.
- The government needs tax revenue to build schools and hospitals.
- Despite increasing revenue, the company's profits fell due to rising costs.
- The new tax law is expected to generate additional revenue for public transport.
- The charity derives the bulk of its revenue from legacy donations and investment income.
- Streaming services have cannibalised the revenue from traditional DVD sales.
- The fiscal policy was designed to optimise tax revenue without stifling economic growth.
- They disaggregated the revenue figures to reveal significant regional disparities.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a REVenue UE (you see) - it's the money you SEE coming IN regularly.
Conceptual Metaphor
Revenue is a STREAM or FLOW (revenue stream, revenue flow). Revenue is a FUEL (revenue fuels growth).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не 'рента' или 'арендная плата' (that's 'rent').
- Не 'доход' в узком личном смысле (personal income) - 'revenue' систематический и часто корпоративный/государственный.
- Не путать с 'profit' (прибыль). Revenue = выручка.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'revenue' as a countable noun (e.g., 'a revenue' - incorrect; 'a revenue stream' - correct).
- Confusing 'revenue' with 'profit'.
- Mispronouncing as /rɪˈvɛnjuː/.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes 'revenue'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Revenue is the total income generated from sales, services, or other activities before any expenses are subtracted. Profit (or net income) is what remains after all expenses, costs, and taxes are deducted from revenue.
Typically, no. It is generally an uncountable noun (e.g., 'The revenue is substantial'). You can make it countable by referring to different types or streams (e.g., 'The company has three main revenue streams').
In UK business contexts, 'turnover' is often used synonymously with 'revenue' or 'gross revenue' to mean the total amount of money a company brings in from its ordinary business activities. 'Revenue' is the more internationally standard term, especially in accounting.
In British English, it's /ˈrevənjuː/ (rev-en-yoo). In American English, it's commonly /ˈrevənuː/ (rev-en-oo), with the final syllable sounding like 'new' in BrE and 'noo' in AmE.
Collections
Part of a collection
Business Vocabulary
B1 · 50 words · Fundamental language of commerce and trade.
Economics Terms
B2 · 50 words · Key vocabulary for economics and financial systems.