Cool MateCompany vs Enterprise
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Company
Enterprise
| Company | Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkʌmpəni/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkʌmpəni/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈentəpraɪz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈentərpraɪz/"]/ |
| Meaning | A group of people who work together to make or sell something. | A large business or organization. |
| Example | I work at a software company that develops applications. | The new enterprise has focused on renewable energy solutions to help combat climate change. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | big, large, leading, group, create, establish, form, make something, manufacture something, produce something, director, executive, owner, in a/the company, within a/the company, a director of a company, large, small, touring, good, pleasant, poor, have, keep somebody, need, for company, in somebody’s company, have the pleasure of somebody’s company, request the pleasure of somebody’s company, like your own company, expect, have, mixed, assembled, keep, in company, get into bad company, keep bad company, present company excepted | large, large-scale, small, build, create, control, operate, expand, grow, in an enterprise, within an enterprise, great, exciting, ambitious, embark on, start, undertake, fail, succeed, in an/the enterprise, free, private, local, encourage, promote, culture, great, show, a spirit of enterprise |
| Antonyms | individual, self | small business, startup, individual venture |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'companion' — remember, a company is usually a business., Using 'company' in the singular form when referring to multiple businesses., Mixed up with 'firm' — 'firm' can be more specific to certain types of companies. | Confused with 'entrepreneur' or 'entourage'., Using it in informal contexts, like chatting with friends., Incorrectly spelling it as 'enterprize'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'company' in both formal and informal contexts when referring to businesses. Avoid in casual phrases unrelated to business, like 'keeping company' (which means spending time with someone). | Used primarily in business contexts. Can imply a sense of innovation or initiative. Less common in casual conversation, more suitable for formal or professional settings. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Company vs Enterprise
What's the difference between Company and Enterprise?
Company: A group of people who work together to make or sell something. Enterprise: A large business or organization.
Which is more common: Company and Enterprise?
Company is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Company and Enterprise?
Enterprise is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Company and Enterprise the same CEFR level?
Company: A1, Enterprise: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Company and Enterprise?
Company: noun, Enterprise: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Company: I work at a software company that develops applications. Enterprise: The new enterprise has focused on renewable energy solutions to help combat climate change.
Can I use Company and Enterprise interchangeably?
Not always. Company and Enterprise are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.