enterprising

[en-ter-prahy-zing]

adjective

1. ready to undertake projects of importance or difficulty, or untried schemes; energetic in carrying out any undertaking.

   Business is in need of enterprising young people.

   Synonyms: adventurous, resourceful, venturesome, venturous
   Antonyms: cautious, timid

2. characterized by great imagination or initiative.

   an enterprising foreign policy.

enterprising

/ ˈɛntəˌpraɪzɪŋ /

adjective

1. ready to embark on new ventures; full of boldness and initiative

Other Word Forms

• enterprisingly adverb
• nonenterprising adjective
• unenterprising adjective
• unenterprisingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of enterprising¹

First recorded in 1565–75; enterprise + -ing ²

Synonym Study

See ambitious.

Example Sentences

However, Helena Rowland put in an excellent cameo in place of Kildunne, proving enterprising in attack and making an excellent tackle when up against the pace of wing Maya Stewart.

From BBC

Outside the stadium, an enterprising busker drew a massive crowd by playing a set of Oasis songs.

From BBC

Brighton's continue to be enterprising and easy on the eye with their intense style, and this campaign was another example of how far this well-run club has come.

From BBC

Today's Vietnam is a remarkably different country than the one American troops withdrew from in defeat – it's enterprising, it's growing fast and it's getting richer.

From BBC

So the enterprising reporter had some phony letterheads printed up and was promptly reimbursed for the vacation nobody took.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adventurous 
• ambitious 
• aspiring 
• daring 
• dashing 
• diligent 
• hardworking 
• industrious 
• intrepid