businessman

American  

[biz-nis-man] / ˈbɪz nɪsˌmæn /

noun

plural

businessmen

1. a man regularly employed in business, especially a white-collar worker, executive, or owner.

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businessman British  

/ ˈbɪznɪsˌmæn, -mən /

noun

1. a person, esp a man, engaged in commercial or industrial business, esp as an owner or executive

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Usage

There is a gender-neutral form, businessperson , but it does not appear to be very widely used. The plural business people is quite widely used, and if you wish to avoid being gender-specific, you could try recasting your sentence to use the plural

Etymology

Origin of businessman

First recorded in 1705–15; business + man

Example Sentences

Treasury contends that Maarij arranged for oil to be diverted to an Iraqi businessman, Salim Ahmed Said, who was sanctioned by the U.S. last year for smuggling Iranian oil blended with Iraqi oil.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Police in South Africa have managed to recover human remains after an officer was lowered from a helicopter into a crocodile-infested river in the search for a businessman swept away by floodwater last week.

From BBC • May 3, 2026

"I remember watching it and seeing a famous fight scene in the Cuillins," the businessman said.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Such an arrangement could appeal to the president’s brand as the ultimate deal maker and billionaire businessman.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026

She ran toward the businessman but dissipated into sparkles before she reached him, and the older spirit didn’t seem to realize she had even been there.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland