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

• entrepreneurship noun
• entrepreneurial adjective

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

Jordan works long hours in transportation and logistics, while Megan is a wealthy entrepreneur with a flexible working schedule.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Side was treated as a leading entrepreneur in the business: In May 2024, she appeared on a panel titled “Challenges in Escrow Management: Nightmare Cases.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While shared CEO arrangements are extremely rare, the setup is becoming slightly more common, especially among entrepreneurs selecting successors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Current owner and entrepreneur Jamie Waller said it "offers something truly rare – a self-contained island retreat located in one of England's most desirable riverside settings".

Read more on BBC

Serial entrepreneur and investor James Harold Webb has done careful investment and estate planning to pass down his wealth to his five children, their three spouses, and six grandchildren.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• administrator 
• contractor 
• executive 
• manager 
• producer