tycoon

[tahy-koon]

noun

1. a person of great wealth, influence, or power; magnate.

   a business tycoon; a political tycoon.

2. (often initial capital letter),  a title used with reference to the shogun of Japan.

tycoon

/ taɪˈkuːn /

noun

1. a business man of great wealth and power

2. an archaic name for a shogun

tycoon

1. Someone who has made a fortune in business, such as Cornelius Vanderbilt.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tycoon¹

1855–60; < Japanese taikun < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese dà great + jūn prince

Word History and Origins

Origin of tycoon¹

C19: from Japanese taikun, from Chinese ta great + chün ruler

Example Sentences

His turn in “Indecent Proposal” as the wealthy man who offers to rent his employee’s wife lives on as shorthand for tycoons who assume they can buy whatever, and whoever, they want.

From Los Angeles Times

Thailand's parliament has chosen business tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul as the country's prime minister - the third in two years, after yet another leader was removed from office.

From BBC

But a low profile is something completely alien to the flamboyant, wealthy and ambitious tycoon.

From BBC

Sources close to the steel tycoon have confirmed reports that negotiations with investment giant Blackrock were ongoing to provide new funding to buy the business out of a managed or "pre-pack" administration.

From BBC

A Kenyan magistrate this week expressed the hope that a British property tycoon would finally "find rest in eternal peace", after his body had spent 11 years in a mortuary.

From BBC

Related Words

• boss 
• capitalist 
• entrepreneur 
• executive 
• financier 
• investor www.thesaurus.com
• magnate 
• mogul