Is there a difference between `lucrative` and `profitable`? I found this explanation [here](https://www.italki.com/question/348994):

> 
> They are not quite interchangeable, although I just checked a
>  dictionary and it defines "lucrative" simply as "producing wealth;
>  profitable." Nevertheless, I think there's a difference.
> 
> 
> "Profitable" is a plain, factual, ordinary word and it's the one you
>  should usually use. It simply means that the contract is expected to
>  make a profit for the company. You can intensify it by saying "very
>  profitable." "Lucrative" carries a sense of great, *possibly
>  excessive* profit. I imagine it being used in a context like this:
> 
> 
> "Well, we got the contract! And I can't believe it, they just accepted
>  our numbers for the second and third year without trying to negotiate
>  them down!"
> 
> 
> "No kidding! Wow! Well, congratulations! I think we should go out and
>  celebrate, that's going to be a lucrative contract for us!"
> 
> 
> By comparison:
> 
> 
> "Well, we got the contract. But we had to make some concessions,
>  they're insisting on a 10% reduction for year 2 and a 20% reduction
>  for year 3." "Hmmm. Well, that wasn't what I was hoping for, but it
>  still should be profitable for us."
> 
> 
> 

[This dictionary](http://www.dictionary.com/browse/lucrative) suggests that they are the same