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

His success has meant that many up-and-coming entrepreneurs seek an investment from Shen not just for capital but the endorsement that comes with it.

From The Wall Street Journal

According to Oniel Diaz, a consultant for private businesses, some entrepreneurs are already "at a very advanced stage in the import process."

From Barron's

Back then, French entrepreneur and agronomist Michael Laurent began using Google Earth to identify new locations for food production.

From BBC

"Don't sit at home," said the entrepreneur, surrounded by embroidered dresses, scarves and tablecloths.

From Barron's

One Greenland entrepreneur believes in the idea, selling his house to get start-up capital in a gamble he's hoping will pay off.

From Barron's

Related Words

• administrator
• contractor
• executive
• manager
• producer