B2noun2K

Entrepreneur

UK /["/ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜː(r)/"]/US /["/ˌɑːntrəprəˈnɜːr/"]/

Definition

a person who makes money by starting or running businesses, especially when this involves taking financial risks

In simple words: A person who starts and runs their own business.

Examples

  • A creative entrepreneur, he was continually dreaming up new projects.
  • a recent MBA graduate and **budding entrepreneur**
  • a serial entrepreneur who had founded four companies
  • The risks of starting your own business can be very great, and most budding entrepreneurs find that they have never worked so hard in their lives.

Usage notes

Commonly used in business contexts. It's neutral; appropriate for formal discussions, but can also be used informally. Not typically used in everyday conversation unless discussing work.

Grammar pattern

entrepreneur + (noun phrase) or (verb phrase)

Memory hint

Think 'enter-preneur' as someone entering new territory with their own business.

Collocations

  • good
  • great
  • successful

Synonyms

  • business owner
  • founder
  • innovator
  • self-starter
  • capitalist

Antonyms

  • employee
  • follower
  • dependent

Common mistakes

  • Confusing with 'intrapreneur' which refers to someone who acts like an entrepreneur within a larger organization.
  • Using it to refer to any self-employed person, when it often implies starting a new and innovative business.
  • Incorrect pronunciation, especially the last syllable sounding like 'ner'.