businesspeople

IPA/bˈɪznəspˌiːpəl/
KK[bˈɪznəspˈipəl]IPA/bˈɪznəspˈiːpəl/

businesspeople — noun

1. people who own, manage, or hold important positions in companies or other commer

1.nounB1
Definition

people who own, manage, or hold important positions in companies or other commercial organizations, used as a gender-neutral term for both men and women in business

Example

Minh joined a networking event for young businesspeople in Taipei.

adjective modifier: young businesspeople

The meeting room was filled with businesspeople from the technology sector.

Common collocations
  • young businesspeople
  • local businesspeople
  • successful businesspeople
  • businesspeople from [sector]
  • businesspeople in [industry/region]
Synonyms
  • executives

    focuses on managerial or leadership roles within an established company

  • entrepreneurs

    emphasizes people who start and run their own businesses, often taking financial risks

  • business owners

    refers specifically to people who own a business, whether small or large

  • corporate professionals

    more formal, typically used for people working in large companies or corporations

Grammar Patterns

businesspeople + plural verb

businesspeople from [organization/sector]

Usage Note

Businesspeople is the standard gender-neutral plural form, used instead of businessmen or businesswomen when the gender of the people is unknown or mixed. The singular form is businessperson, though businessman and businesswoman remain common in specific contexts.

Common Mistakes

There was three businesspeople at the table.
There were three businesspeople at the table.
Businesspeople is plural, so it always takes a plural verb.
He is a businesspeople.
He is a businessperson.' / 'They are businesspeople.
Businesspeople is a plural noun; use businessperson when referring to a single person.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While all these terms refer to people involved in commerce, each carries a different emphasis. Executives are high-level managers within an established organisation, typically holding titles like CEO, CFO, or vice-president. Entrepreneurs are people who start and build new businesses, often accepting financial risk in exchange for potential growth. Business owners is a broader category that includes anyone who owns a business, from a single-person shop to a large enterprise. Corporate professionals is the most general term, covering anyone who works in a corporate environment — not necessarily at a leadership level. For example, a startup founder is best described as an entrepreneur, while the head of a multinational division is an executive. The word businesspeople can include all of these, making it the most flexible and neutral option.

executives ↗entrepreneurs ↗business ownerscorporate professionals

Common collocations

Nouns

  • group of businesspeople
  • network of businesspeople
  • association of businesspeople

Phrases

  • businesspeople and professionals
  • businesspeople from around the world
  • young businesspeople in [field]

Prepositions

  • among businesspeople
  • for businesspeople
  • by businesspeople
  • with businesspeople

Etymology

Old EnglishOld FrenchLatinEnglish

Businesspeople is a compound formed from business (from Old English bisignis, meaning 'care, anxiety, occupation') and people (from Old French peuple, ultimately from Latin populus, 'a people, nation'). The term appeared in the mid-20th century as a gender-neutral alternative to the older businessman and businesswoman, reflecting a shift toward inclusive language in professional contexts.