Added 2 October 2026
business
/ˈbɪz.nɪs/ noun
In Latin: negōtium Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about business at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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A specific commercial enterprise or establishment.
I left my father's business.
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A person's occupation, work, or trade.
He is in the motor and insurance businesses.
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Commercial, industrial, or professional activity.
He's such a poor cook, I can't believe he's still in business!
adjective
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Of, to, pertaining to, or used for purposes of conducting trade, commerce, governance, advocacy or other professional purposes.
Please do not use this phone for personal calls; it is a business phone.
- Professional, businesslike, having concern for good business practice.
- Supporting business, conducive to the conduct of business.
Origin
From Middle English busines, busynes, businesse, bisynes, from Old English bisiġnes (“business, busyness”), equivalent to busy + -ness. Doublet of busyness. Sense 17 (something very good, top quality), possibly derives from "the bee's knees"
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)