noun

entrepreneurship

on-truh-pruh-NUR-ship

Entrepreneurship (noun) means the activity of setting up and running a business, taking on the financial risk in the hope of profit. Example: “She teaches entrepreneurship to final-year students.”

noun

The activity of setting up and running a business, taking on the financial risk in the hope of profit.

"She teaches entrepreneurship to final-year students."

"Government grants are meant to encourage entrepreneurship among young people."

The mindset or set of qualities associated with starting ventures, such as initiative, risk-taking and the ability to spot an opportunity.

"His whole career is a case study in entrepreneurship."

How to Use Entrepreneurship

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStarting and running your own business, and taking the risk that comes with it.

When to use it

Neutral and common in business, education and journalism. The word is long and slightly formal; in speech people often just say 'starting a business'.

Memory tip

Note the spelling: entre-, not enter-. It is an uncountable noun, so say 'entrepreneurship is rewarding', never 'an entrepreneurship'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

entrepreneur → intrapreneurship enterprise →

Common pairings

social entrepreneurship entrepreneurship programme spirit of entrepreneurship encourage entrepreneurship tech entrepreneurship

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She teaches _____ to final-year students.

Etymology

From French entrepreneur, literally 'one who undertakes', from entreprendre 'to undertake', plus the English suffix -ship denoting a state or activity.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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enterprise business ownership venturing self-employment initiative resourcefulness

Related Words

business company program project campaign activity firm corporation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between entrepreneurship and a small business?

A small business is the thing itself — a shop, a garage, a consultancy — usually run on a proven model. Entrepreneurship is the activity of creating and growing a venture while carrying its risk, and it often implies innovation or rapid growth. Every entrepreneur may run a business, but not every business owner is doing something new.

What is the difference between entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship?

Entrepreneurship means building a venture on your own account, with your own money or investors' money at stake. Intrapreneurship means doing the same kind of innovative, risk-taking work inside an existing company, using its resources and on its payroll.

Is entrepreneurship a skill you can learn?

Parts of it plainly are — finance, marketing, hiring and negotiation are all taught on business courses. Traits such as risk tolerance and persistence are harder to teach, which is why most programmes combine classroom work with actually launching something.

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