[MichaelZuo]

It's possible to discuss things according to their dictionary definition.

[andrewflnr]

But more often it's useless. If you're trying to communicate with someone who's clearly not using the dictionary definition, it's probably only good for detangling their actual usage, aka meta-argument. In this case, certainly, you did not address the substance of their argument with your objection about the definition of "profit".

Also, I don't know what dictionary you're looking at. These all seem pretty money-focused to me. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/eng... https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/profi... https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profit

[MichaelZuo]

If you closely inspect a dictionary you can see that there can be multiple meanings for a given word.

Visiting your last link for Merriam-Webster, you will see a '1 of 2' and a '2 of 2' beside these distinct meanings.

[andrewflnr]

But you're going to "well actually" someone's comment based on the second definition when they're using the first, rather than actually communicate. Makes perfect sense.

[MichaelZuo]

So do you now understand how a dictionary can list multiple meanings?

If there’s still a comprehension difficulty dictionaries usually contain an explanatory guide as to how things work.

[andrewflnr]

I've always understood how a dictionary entry can have multiple meanings. You're the one who started off citing "the" dictionary definition.

Whereas my point since the start has been that the dictionary definition is barely relevant to good-faith communication, which tries to understand what the other person means and engage with that. Even if they're using the number 1 definition, and you'd rather use number 2.

[MichaelZuo]

Your prior comment seems to indicate confusion about what you see on these dictionary websites.

"Also, I don't know what dictionary you're looking at. These all seem pretty money-focused to me. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/eng... https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/profi... https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profit"

Whereas in fact their definitions of 'profit' are not written to a specific 'money-focused' meaning.

Dictionary definitions for commonly used word are almost never 'focused' on a specific meaning for the reasons previously described.