entrepreneur

[ahn-truh-pruh-nur, -noor, ahn-truh-pruh-nœr]

noun

plural

entrepreneurs 

1. a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.

2. an employer of productive labor; contractor.

verb (used with object)

1. to deal with or initiate as an entrepreneur.

verb (used without object)

1. to act as an entrepreneur.

entrepreneur

/ ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜː, ɑ̃trəprənœr /

noun

1. the owner or manager of a business enterprise who, by risk and initiative, attempts to make profits

2. a middleman or commercial intermediary

entrepreneur

1. One who starts a business or other venture that promises economic gain but that also entails risks.

Other Word Forms

• entrepreneurial adjective
• entrepreneurship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of entrepreneur¹

First recorded in 1875–80; from French: literally, “one who undertakes (some task),” equivalent to entrepren(dre) “to undertake” (from Latin inter- inter- + prendere “to take,” variant of prehendere ) + -eur -eur; enterprise

Word History and Origins

Origin of entrepreneur¹

C19: from French, from entreprendre to undertake; see _enterprise

Example Sentences

Remaining journalists waiting to interview Skinner, including BBC News, did not get a chance to speak to the entrepreneur.

From BBC

“Dear Frank” filmmaker Webber and production company Muddy Water Pictures — also mentioned in Dash’s petition — sued the music entrepreneur for copyright infringement and defamation in 2019.

From Los Angeles Times

The unit at Birmingham Women's Hospital has been funded by a £1m donation from high street fashion entrepreneur George Davies through his charitable trust.

From BBC

The eight-episode series, available on Netflix, features a new lineup of special guests — which includes a mix of chefs, entertainers and entrepreneurs — and recipes.

From Salon

Private investors are throwing millions of dollars at the problem, and consequently, a slew of entrepreneurs and former firefighters are trying their hand at developing high-tech solutions.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• administrator 
• contractor 
• executive 
• manager 
• producer