business
23 synonyms and 0 antonyms for business, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The activity of making, buying, or selling goods or services to earn money.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use business
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English bisignes, "state of being busy," built from busy plus -ness. Originally it just meant busyness before narrowing to mean commercial activity.
Full origin of business →Frequently asked questions
What does “business” mean?
The word “business” means the activity of making, buying, or selling goods or services to earn money. In plain terms, buying and selling to make money, or a company that does that — also used loosely for "your affair, your concern.".
How do you pronounce “business”?
“Business” is pronounced BIHZ-nihs (/ˈbɪz.nɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “business” in a sentence?
Here is “business” used in a sentence: “She started her own business selling handmade candles.”
What part of speech is “business”?
“Business” is a noun.
Where does the word “business” come from?
The word “business” comes from Old English. From Old English bisignes, "state of being busy," built from busy plus -ness. Originally it just meant busyness before narrowing to mean commercial activity.
Is “business” a common word?
“Business” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “business” have?
“Business” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the activity of making, buying, or selling goods or services to earn money.
What is the difference between a business and a company?
'Business' is the broader term — it covers any commercial activity or the organization that carries it out, from a market stall to a global brand. A 'company' is a specific, legally registered organization. Every company is a business, but a business can also be a sole trader or partnership that is not a formal company.
What are the main types of business?
By legal structure, common types include the sole trader, partnership, limited company, and corporation. By activity, businesses are often grouped as manufacturing, retail, wholesale, and service. They also range in size from small local firms to large multinationals. The right structure depends on ownership, tax, and how much personal liability the owners accept.
What is the difference between business and commerce?
'Business' is the activity of making, buying, or selling to earn money, and can name a single firm. 'Commerce' is broader and more abstract, describing the whole system of trade — the buying and selling of goods and services across a market or economy. Business happens within the wider world of commerce.