enterprising
Americanadjective
-
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
-
characterized by great imagination or initiative.
an enterprising foreign policy.
adjective
Related Words
See ambitious.
Other Word Forms
- enterprisingly adverb
- nonenterprising adjective
- unenterprising adjective
- unenterprisingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of enterprising
First recorded in 1565–75; enterprise + -ing 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Despite Inter's enterprising start it was Atletico who took the lead, with Alvarez drilling home from close range when the ball deflected nicely for him.
From Barron's
For enterprising men, money from war, industry or trade was a passport through social frontiers—the tradesman, merchant or lucky naval captain could become a landed gentleman, as happens in Austen’s novels.
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
