business
business
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for the word "business" is: /ˈbɪz.nɪs/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
First syllable: /bɪz/
/b/ - a voiced bilabial stop
/ɪ/ - a short, high front unrounded vowel (as in "kit")
/z/ - a voiced alveolar sibilant
Second syllable: /nɪs/
/n/ - a voiced alveolar nasal
/ɪ/ - a short, high front unrounded vowel (as in "kit")
/s/ - a voiceless alveolar sibilant
Word Form Variations
business (singular noun): This is the base form and refers to a commercial organization, enterprise, or undertaking. It can also refer to the activity of buying and selling goods or services.
businesses (plural noun): Refers to more than one business organization.
businessman/businesswoman/businessperson (singular noun): Refers to a person involved in business, especially in a managerial or entrepreneurial role. "Businessperson" is generally considered the most inclusive and neutral term.
businessmen/businesswomen/businesspeople (plural noun): Refers to more than one person involved in business. Again, "businesspeople" is the most inclusive plural form.
busy (adjective/verb): While related in concept, this is a different word entirely. As an adjective it means occupied or engaged. As a verb, it means to make someone busy. It's not a direct variation of "business" but shares a semantic connection relating to activity.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1 (Commercial Enterprise): A commercial organization or entity engaged in the production, distribution, or sale of goods or services for profit. This encompasses everything from a small corner store to a multinational corporation.
Synonyms: company, firm, enterprise, organization, establishment, concern, venture, undertaking
Antonyms: hobby, non-profit, charity, personal endeavor
Definition 2 (Commercial Activity): The activity of buying and selling goods or services; trade; commerce. This refers to the overall system and practice of economic exchange.
Synonyms: commerce, trade, industry, market, economics, finance
Antonyms: leisure, recreation, inactivity, bartering (in a limited sense)
Definition 3 (Affair/Matter): A particular matter, activity, or area of concern. This usage is less common but still valid, often used in phrases like "mind your own business."
Synonyms: matter, affair, concern, responsibility, duty, task
Antonyms: irrelevance, detachment, disinterest
Verb (Less Common):
Definition: To engage in commercial activity; to conduct business. This usage is less frequent than the noun form.
Synonyms: trade, deal, transact, operate, manage
Antonyms: idle, cease, discontinue, retire
Adjective (Related Term - "Busy"):
Definition: Actively engaged in work or other activities; occupied. While not a direct form of "business," it's semantically connected.
Synonyms: occupied, engaged, active, employed, working, industrious, diligent
Antonyms: idle, unoccupied, inactive, lazy, free, available
Adverb (Related Term - "Busily"):
Definition: In a busy or actively engaged manner. Again, semantically related, not a direct form.
Synonyms: actively, diligently, industriously, energetically, purposefully, intently
Antonyms: idly, lazily, inactively, leisurely, carelessly
Examples of Use
Books:
"The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries (2011): This book discusses lean methodologies for building and scaling a business. (Ries, 2011) This exemplifies "business" as a commercial enterprise.
"Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki (1997): Kiyosaki explores different approaches to building wealth, including owning a business. (Kiyosaki, 1997) Again, "business" refers to a commercial organization.
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"Small businesses struggle with rising costs." (Example headline from a news website) This uses "businesses" in the plural, referring to multiple commercial entities.
"The business of sports is increasingly complex." (Article discussing the financial aspects of professional sports) Here, "business" refers to the commercial activity within a specific industry.
"Local business owner donates to charity." (Local news item) "Business" refers to a specific commercial establishment.
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"Shark Tank" (TV show): Contestants pitch their business ideas to investors. (ABC) "Business" refers to the venture or company being pitched.
"The Social Network" (Film, 2010): Depicts the founding of Facebook as a business. (Columbia Pictures) "Business" is used in the context of a company's formation and growth.
"Succession" (TV series): Explores the dynamics of a wealthy family's media business. (HBO) "Business" refers to the family's media conglomerate.
General Public Discourse:
"It's none of your business." (Common phrase) Here, "business" refers to a matter or affair that is not someone else's concern.
"I'm going into business for myself." (Common expression) "Business" refers to the act of starting one's own company.
"The business community is concerned about the new regulations." (Statement from a politician or news report) "Business" is used as a collective term for commercial enterprises.
Social Media:
"#supportsmallbusiness" (Hashtag on social media platforms) This common hashtag encourages support for small commercial enterprises.
"Check out my new business!" (Social media post) "Business" refers to the user's new venture.
10 Famous Quotes Using Business
"Business opportunities are like buses; there’s always another one coming." — Richard Branson
"The business of America is business." — Calvin Coolidge
"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. That’s as true in business as in life." — Albert Einstein (adapted from his writings)
"Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion." — Jack Welch
"Business has only two functions—marketing and innovation." — Peter Drucker
"The secret of business is to know something that nobody else knows." — Aristotle Onassis
"The business of life is the acquisition of memories. In the end, that’s all there is." — Carson from Downton Abbey
"Business is a combination of war and sport." — André Maurois
"Making money is art, and working is art, and good business is the best art." — Andy Warhol
"Don’t be in the business of playing it safe. Be in the business of creating possibilities." — Arianna Huffington
Etymology
The word "business" has a pretty straightforward origin. It comes from the Old English word bisig which meant "busy" or "occupied." Think of it like this: if you're "busy," you're engaged in some activity.
Over time, bisig evolved into busyness. This word started to be used not just to describe being busy, but also the activity itself. So, the "busyness" of trading, selling, or working gradually morphed into the concept of "business."
The first recorded use of "business" in something like its modern sense was around the 14th or 15th century. At that point, it began to refer to one's "trade," "profession," or "occupation." It wasn't quite the same as a large company yet, but it was moving in that direction. It was more about the doing of commerce, the active pursuit of trade.
So, to recap:
It started with bisig (busy).
Then became busyness (the state of being busy, and then the activity itself).
Finally, it became "business" (trade, occupation, and eventually, a commercial enterprise).
Essentially, the word's meaning broadened over time. It started with the simple idea of being occupied and eventually grew to encompass the complex world of commerce we know today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Business
Common Phrases:
Mind your own business: This is probably the most common phrase using "business." It means to not interfere in other people's affairs.
Business as usual: Meaning things are operating normally, despite any disruptions.
Get down to business: To start focusing on the task at hand.
In business: Actively involved in commerce or trade.
Out of business: No longer operating commercially; bankrupt or closed.
Business trip: A journey taken for work-related purposes.
Business card: A small card with contact information.
Business plan: A document outlining a company's goals and strategies.
Business hours: The times during which a business is open.
Less Common/Figurative Phrases:
Monkey business: Meaning mischievous or dishonest activity. While not directly using "business" in its commercial sense, it uses it to imply activity of a dubious nature.
Like nobody's business: Meaning with great enthusiasm or effectiveness. ("He was singing like nobody's business.")
Idioms with Synonyms/Related Concepts:
Since "business" itself doesn't lend itself to a ton of idioms, let's look at related concepts like "trade," "work," and "activity":
The tools of the trade: The equipment and skills needed for a particular job.
Learn the ropes: To become familiar with the way things are done in a particular job or situation. (Related to "trade" and "occupation")
Work like a dog: To work very hard.
Get down to brass tacks: To focus on the essential details of a matter. (Often used in a business context)
It's all in a day's work: Meaning something is a normal part of one's job, even if it's difficult.
Burn the midnight oil: To work late into the night. (Related to "business" in the sense of working)
Hit the ground running: To start something energetically and efficiently. (Often used in starting a new business or project)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of business from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
