Is cashflow the same as profit?

No. Profit is what remains after costs. Cashflow is the money moving in and out.

Is cashflow a business word?

Yes. It is common in business, finance, and accounting.

Can a company have cashflow problems and still make profit?

Yes. Profit does not always mean cash is available right now.

Is cashflow formal or informal?

It is neutral and very common in business writing and meetings.

← Dictionary

cashflow

/ˈkæʃ.fləʊ/

IELTSAcademic

noun

Money that enters and leaves a business, person, or project over time. It shows how much cash is available at a given moment.

We need better cashflow this month.
The business has strong cashflow.
Poor cashflow caused late payments.

Adinary Nuance

Cashflow is more specific than profit. Profit means money left after costs, but cashflow is about money moving in and out. A company can be profitable and still have weak cashflow if money arrives too late. In business writing, cashflow often sounds more practical and immediate than income or earnings.

In other languages

Vietnamese: dòng tiền
Spanish: flujo de caja
Chinese: 现金流
Japanese: キャッシュフロー
Korean: 현금 흐름

Etymology

Cashflow is a modern compound of cash and flow. It became common in business English in the late 20th century.

Common phrases

cashflow problemcashflow managementpositive cashflowcashflow forecast

Synonyms

liquidity cash movement money flow

Frequently asked questions

Is cashflow the same as profit?: No. Profit is what remains after costs. Cashflow is the money moving in and out.
Is cashflow a business word?: Yes. It is common in business, finance, and accounting.
Can a company have cashflow problems and still make profit?: Yes. Profit does not always mean cash is available right now.
Is cashflow formal or informal?: It is neutral and very common in business writing and meetings.