business
Americannoun
-
an occupation, profession, or trade.
His business is poultry farming.
- Synonyms:
- employment, vocation, calling
-
the purchase and sale of goods in an attempt to make a profit.
-
a person, partnership, or corporation engaged in commerce, manufacturing, or a service; profit-seeking enterprise or concern.
-
volume of trade; patronage.
Most of the store's business comes from local families.
-
a building or site where commercial work is carried on, as a factory, store, or office; place of work.
His business is on the corner of Broadway and Elm Street.
-
that with which a person is principally and seriously concerned.
Words are a writer's business.
-
something with which a person is rightfully concerned.
What they are doing is none of my business.
-
affair; project.
We were exasperated by the whole business.
-
an assignment or task; chore.
It's your business to wash the dishes now.
-
Also called stage business. Also called piece of business,. Theater. a movement or gesture, especially a minor one, used by an actor to give expressiveness, drama, detail, etc., to a scene or to help portray a character.
-
excrement: used as a euphemism.
adjective
-
of, noting, or pertaining to business, its organization, or its procedures.
-
containing, suitable for, or welcoming business or commerce.
New York is a good business town.
idioms
-
business is business, profit has precedence over personal considerations.
He is reluctant to fire his friend, but business is business.
-
have no business, to have no right.
You have no business coming into this house.
-
mean business, to propose to take action or be serious in intent; be in earnest.
By the fire in his eye we knew that he meant business.
-
do one's business, (usually of an animal or child) to defecate or urinate.
housebreaking a puppy to do his business outdoors.
-
mind one's own business, to refrain from meddling in the affairs of others.
When he inquired about the noise coming from the neighbor's apartment, he was told to mind his own business.
-
get down to business, to apply oneself to serious matters; concentrate on work.
They finally got down to business and signed the contract.
-
give someone the business,
-
to make difficulties for someone; treat harshly.
Instead of a straight answer they give him the business with a needless run-around.
-
to scold severely; give a tongue-lashing to.
The passengers will give the bus driver the business if he keeps driving so recklessly.
-
noun
-
a trade or profession
-
an industrial, commercial, or professional operation; purchase and sale of goods and services
the tailoring business
-
a commercial or industrial establishment, such as a firm or factory
-
commercial activity; dealings (esp in the phrase do business )
-
volume or quantity of commercial activity
business is poor today
-
commercial policy or procedure
overcharging is bad business
-
proper or rightful concern or responsibility (often in the phrase mind one's own business )
-
a special task; assignment
-
a matter or matters to be attended to
the business of the meeting
-
an affair; matter
a queer business
I'm tired of the whole business
-
serious work or activity
get down to business
-
a complicated affair; rigmarole
-
informal a vaguely defined collection or area
jets, fast cars, and all that business
-
Also called: stage business. theatre an incidental action, such as lighting a pipe, performed by an actor for dramatic effect
-
a group of ferrets
-
euphemistic defecation (esp in the phrase do one's business )
-
slang prostitution
-
informal extremely well or fast
-
to be in earnest
-
informal to achieve what is required
it tastes vile, but it does the business
Pronunciation
See isn't.
Usage
What does business mean? Business is the sale of goods or services to try to make a profit, as in Restaurants are a tough business, with many restaurants closing in the first few years. Business is also used to refer to any person or group of people that operate with the purpose of making money, as in Yen and Tao went into business walking the dogs in their neighborhood. Business is also used to refer to the sales and money brought in by a business, as in Even though we had a lot of visitors to the store, business was slow over the weekend. Business has many other senses related to work and trade, but it can also refer to someone’s personal concern or interest. Your feelings, for example, are your own business. Business can also be used as an adjective to describe anything related to the workings of a profession or exchange of money, as in The business office is closed on weekends, but the store is usually open. Example: Some small businesses make more money in this town than the chains do.
Synonym Usage
See occupation.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
overbusinessnoun
-
antibusinessadjective
-
interbusinessadjective
-
multibusinessadjective
-
nonbusinessadjective
-
probusinessadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of business
First recorded before 950; Middle English; Old English bisignes; busy + -ness
Explanation
If you are in Hong Kong to do work, then you’re away on business. The word business can refer to the activities you perform for your job. The word business often refers to an occupation (like "she owns her own business") or a particular trade, like show business. Business can also describe an enterprise's financial goal, as in, a store that uses advertising to attract business, or its activity — like a store that does most of its business on weekends. It isn't always easy to run a business. In fact, it comes from the Old English word bisignis, which meant “anxiety."
Vocabulary lists containing business
Commonly Misspelled Words, List 5
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Words Whose Pronunciation Has Changed Over Time
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Dragon, Dragon"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In terms of longer-term trends Abouhossein argues that investment banking generally is transforming as a business model from a heavy emphasis on balance sheet and inventory, to something lighter and more geared to best-execution practices.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
The business model explains why Hermès stock has traded at a huge premium to rivals for years.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
State business records show Croom filed paperwork to create both entities and holds roles at each.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
Even in real time, when so much was not known, it was reported that Witkoff was mixing business and diplomacy.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
Willem had the use of an official car for nursing-home business, but only within a radius of Hilversum.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
A lack of updating, rising mall rents and splurges on new businesses weakened its business until it declared bankruptcy in 2014.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
Putting rates up makes borrowing more expensive, giving people and businesses less money to spend, reducing demand for goods and slowing price rises.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
“With the increasing number of online businesses offering subscriptions, it is important to ensure that businesses are acting transparently and that consumers have the power to manage and cancel these subscriptions more easily,” said Atty.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
The new commitments mean that signatories now account for some 80% of all power delivered to U.S. homes and businesses, the official said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
Soon after, I started my businesses at school, and I’ve been secretly adding cash to the jar ever since.
From "Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish" by Pablo Cartaya
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
