businessperson

American  

[biz-nis-pur-suhn] / ˈbɪz nɪsˌpɜr sən /

noun

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

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businessperson British  

/ ˈbɪznɪsˌpɜrsən /

noun

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

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Gender

Is it businessman, businesswoman, or businessperson? See -person.

Etymology

Origin of businessperson

An Americanism dating back to 1970–75; business(man) + -person

Example Sentences

When butcher Asser Levy died in Colonial New York, he had gone from penniless immigrant to successful businessperson by meeting the booming city’s food needs.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

“My bet is that an opportunistic businessperson saw a trend, bought tons of capybara products from Chinese suppliers for very cheap and is selling them for a big profit.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

"The president is a successful businessperson and dealmaker. We are his largest client in so many industries," he remarked.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2025

I didn’t want to have to become a businessperson, but that is what — without a sugar daddy or a trust fund, and outside the confines of academia — being an artist does to you.

From Salon • Nov. 12, 2024

Maloy rode a wave of rural support to win a three-way Republican special primary on Sept. 5, beating former state Rep. Becky Edwards and businessperson Bruce Hough.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 20, 2023