entrepreneurs

IPA/ˌɒntɹɪpɹənjˈʊəz/
KK[ˌɑntrəprənˈɚz]IPA/ˌɑːntrəprənˈərz/

entrepreneurs — noun

1. a person who creates and runs a business, often by spotting a market need and ta

1.nounC1
Definition

a person who creates and runs a business, often by spotting a market need and taking the risk of building something new

Example

After college, Indra became an entrepreneur and opened a small tea shop.

became an entrepreneur + started a business

Two entrepreneurs rented the empty shop and turned it into a bike repair cafe.

entrepreneurs + opened a local business

Common collocations
  • young entrepreneurs
  • local entrepreneurs
  • aspiring entrepreneurs
  • social entrepreneurs
Synonyms
  • founder

    focuses on starting a company or organisation; slightly narrower than entrepreneur

  • business owner

    broader and more neutral; does not always imply a new idea or growth plan

  • startup founder

    modern term for someone launching a new company, especially in technology

  • innovator

    stresses new ideas; not every innovator starts a business

Antonyms
  • employee

    works for a business rather than starting or running it

  • worker

    focuses on doing paid work inside an existing business, not building the business itself

Grammar Patterns

be an entrepreneur

young entrepreneurs

entrepreneurs in [field]

Usage Note

Usually refers to someone who actively starts and builds a business, not merely someone who owns shares or lends money. Distinguish from investor when the focus is creating the company or service rather than simply funding it.

Common Mistakes

My sister is entrepreneur.
My sister is an entrepreneur.
singular count nouns need an article.
He is an entrepreneur because he bought stock in a hotel chain.
He is an investor.' / 'He is an entrepreneur because he started the hotel business.
buying shares alone does not make someone an entrepreneur.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Entrepreneur, founder, business owner, and investor can describe the same person, but each word highlights a different role. Entrepreneur stresses starting something new and taking the risk of turning an idea or market gap into a business. Founder is narrower: it simply marks the person who began the company or organisation. Business owner is broader and can describe someone running any shop or company, even one they did not originally invent. Investor focuses on putting money into a business and may never help build or manage it day to day. Use entrepreneur when the key idea is creating and growing a new venture.

entrepreneur ↗founder ↗business ownerinvestor ↗

Etymology

FrenchEnglish

Entrepreneurs is the plural form of entrepreneur. Entrepreneur entered English from French, where it referred to someone who undertakes a project or business venture. In modern English it usually describes a person who starts a company or service and accepts the uncertainty that comes with it.