noun

proprietor

pruh-PREYE-uht

noun

The owner of a business, especially a small or independently run one.

"The proprietor of the corner shop has run it for thirty years."

"She is the sole proprietor of a small bakery."

How to Use Proprietor

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe owner of a business, often a shop, restaurant, or small company.

Common pairings

sole proprietor shop proprietor proprietor of a business

proprietors plural

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Can you complete this real example?

The _____ of the corner shop has run it for thirty years.

Likely from proprietary + -or, following the pattern of turning an adjective/noun of ownership into "the person who owns."

carburetor