entrepreneur

American  

[ahn-truh-pruh-nur, -noor, ahn-truh-pruh-nœr] / ˌɑn trə prəˈnɜr, -ˈnʊər, ɑ̃ trə prəˈnœr /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to deal with or initiate as an entrepreneur.

verb (used without object)

1. to act as an entrepreneur.

entrepreneur British  

/ 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

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entrepreneur Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• entrepreneurial adjective
• entrepreneurship noun

Etymology

Origin of entrepreneur

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

Example Sentences

Getting that look, he explains, is when a man "peaks" - he says he's gone from "unsatisfied carpenter working nine to five" to an "online entrepreneur".

From BBC

They are Colter Carlisle, vice president of the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council; Dylan Kendall, an entrepreneur and founder of Grow Hollywood; and Rich Sarian, vice president of strategic initiatives for the Social District.

From Los Angeles Times

New investments in research and training could equip the next generation of entrepreneurs to create consumer products such as drone-based motorcycles, Wolff said.

From The Wall Street Journal

For some residents, the sudden danger has deepened their appreciation for Dubai, which they say has welcomed diversity and created an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive.

From The Wall Street Journal

But entrepreneurs and investors, including private-equity firms, have also spotted an opportunity, and their tactics have sometimes outpaced regulators’ efforts to police the business.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• administrator
• contractor
• executive
• manager
• producer