businessperson

businessperson — noun

1. someone whose work is owning, managing, or running a business or company

1.nounB2
Definition

someone whose work is owning, managing, or running a business or company

Example

Aylin is a businessperson who runs three bakeries near the train station.

businessperson who runs + business type

After ten years in sales, Élise became a businessperson and opened her own furniture store.

became a businessperson + opened a store

Common collocations
  • local businessperson
  • successful businessperson
  • young businessperson
  • leading businessperson
Synonyms
  • business owner

    focuses specifically on owning the company rather than any business role

  • entrepreneur

    stresses starting a new business and taking risks, not just running one

  • executive

    usually means a senior manager inside a company rather than any businessperson

Antonyms
  • employee

    works for a business instead of leading or owning it

  • customer

    buys from a business rather than running it

Grammar Patterns

be a businessperson

local businessperson

successful businessperson

Usage Note

Usually chosen when the person's gender is not relevant or you want a neutral alternative to businessman or businesswoman. It is broader than entrepreneur because it can describe managers or owners of existing businesses, not only people starting new ones.

Common Mistakes

My manager is businessperson.
My manager is a businessperson.
singular count nouns need an article.
Those two businessperson signed the deal.
Those two businesspeople signed the deal.
use the plural form 'businesspeople' for more than one person.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Businessperson is the broad, neutral label in this group. It can describe someone who owns a company, manages one, or works at a high level in business, and it does not say anything about the person's gender. Entrepreneur is narrower and highlights creating a new business or spotting a new market chance. Business owner focuses on legal ownership, even if the person is not especially innovative. Executive usually refers to a senior manager inside a company and does not necessarily suggest ownership. Use businessperson when you want the general idea of someone active in business without adding extra detail.

businessperson ↗entrepreneur ↗business ownerexecutive ↗

Etymology

English

Businessperson is a modern English compound formed from business and person. It became common as a gender-neutral alternative to businessman and businesswoman, especially in formal or inclusive writing.

First known use

1834

1834, in the meaning defined above