business
business Lexical Profile
business Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The practice of making one's living by engaging in commerce, trade, or the buying and selling of goods and services.
"The firm expanded its international business by opening new offices across Europe and Asia."
A commercial organization, company, enterprise, or establishment operated to earn a profit by providing goods or services.
"She founded a small software business that quickly grew into a leading regional employer."
A person's regular occupation, profession, or line of work.
"He has worked in the publishing business for over twenty years."
A matter, affair, or topic that is a person's rightful concern, responsibility, or duty to deal with.
"The committee decided to address the most urgent financial business before adjourning for the afternoon."
Word Nuance & Usage
Although etymologically derived from 'busy', 'business' is pronounced as two or three syllables (/ˈbɪznəs/) and refers to commerce, firms, or personal affairs, whereas the regular three-syllable noun 'busyness' (/ˈbɪzinəs/) specifically denotes the state of being actively occupied.
• Rhymes for business
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Old English 'bisignis', from 'bisig' ('busy, careful, anxious') and the suffix '-ness'. Originally meaning anxiety, care, or the state of being occupied, its sense shifted in the 14th century toward one's regular occupation or trade, and by the 18th century to a commercial enterprise.