business
BIHZ-nihs
Business (noun) means the activity of making, buying, or selling goods or services to earn money. Example: “She started her own business selling handmade candles.”
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."
"Running a business means keeping careful track of what you earn and spend."
2
A particular company or commercial organisation.
"He runs a small business from home."
"The family business has sold bread in this village for generations."
"She works for a large business that makes office furniture."
3
A matter or affair that is someone's concern or responsibility.
"What I do in my spare time is none of your business."
"Please mind your own business and let us sort this out."
"Sorting out the garden fence is Dad's business, not ours."
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.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for business
ugliness
laziness
holiness
happiness
craziness
weariness
readiness
emptiness
manliness
dizziness
tardiness
heaviness
See all rhymes for 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.
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