entrepreneur

American  

[ahn-truh-pruh-nur, -noor, ahn-truh-pruh-nœr] / ˌɑn trə prəˈnɜr, -ˈnʊər, ɑ̃ trə prəˈnœr /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to deal with or initiate as an entrepreneur.

verb (used without object)

1. to act as an entrepreneur.

entrepreneur British  

/ 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

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entrepreneur Cultural  

1. One who starts a business or other venture that promises economic gain but that also entails risks.

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Other Word Forms

• entrepreneurial adjective
• entrepreneurship noun

Etymology

Origin of entrepreneur

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

Example Sentences

"You'll see lawyers, teachers, educator... entrepreneurs who have the ability to take a little bit of time off work."

From Barron's

With the help of a German entrepreneur, cemetery officials believe they can profitably augment the property by turning loved ones into gardening soil.

From The Wall Street Journal

"It's been a busy 45 days for all of us around here," said the Minnesota-based entrepreneur, reflecting on soaring demand for $99 annual subscriptions.

From Barron's

They were hailed as self-made entrepreneurs who would inject fresh thinking.

From BBC

Brown is one in a long line of entrepreneurs who saw the high-growth potential of innovations like the steam engine, manned flight, computers, and artificial intelligence—and took a financial leap to make it happen.

From Barron's

Related Words

• administrator
• contractor
• executive
• manager
• producer