noun
business
BIHZ-nihs
noun
1
The activity of making, buying, or selling goods or services to earn money.
"She started her own business selling handmade candles."
"The pandemic forced a lot of small businesses to close."
2
A particular company or commercial organisation.
"He runs a small business from home."
3
A matter or affair that is someone's concern or responsibility.
"What I do in my spare time is none of your business."
How to Use Business
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBuying and selling to make money, or a company that does that — also used loosely for "your affair, your concern."
Common mistake
"None of your business" is an idiom about privacy, not a comment on commerce.
Common pairings
run a business
do business with
mind your own business
small business
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She started her own _____ selling handmade candles.
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.
Rhymes for business
ugliness
laziness
holiness
happiness
craziness
weariness
readiness
emptiness
manliness
dizziness
tardiness
heaviness
See all rhymes for business →