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

"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

Vibrant communities of technology researchers and entrepreneurs are at work far from Silicon Valley.

From The Wall Street Journal

Social media sites such as Instagram have served as a key marketplace for Iranian entrepreneurs, but the impact on the economy from the internet restrictions extends far wider.

From Barron's

Related Words

• administrator
• contractor
• executive
• manager
• producer