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

The entrepreneur who creates jobs, builds useful products and raises living standards serves the country in a real way.

From The Wall Street Journal

Two men who invested £200,000 into a start-up business owned by an entrepreneur who planned to redevelop the Dover Citadel say they fear they will never see their money again.

From BBC

Many entrepreneurs and investors celebrated Armstrong’s move, and other companies followed with similar policies.

From The Wall Street Journal

He frequently reports on the world’s most innovative companies, with stories that highlight the entrepreneurs and new technologies that are remaking industries.

From The Wall Street Journal

You will see, especially among younger people, more entrepreneurs launching smaller businesses or flatter structures as a result of these tools.

From Barron's

Related Words

• administrator
• contractor
• executive
• manager
• producer