business
gb/bˈɪznɪs/ us/bˈɪznɪs/
A2
English
~ 300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
a company or commercial activity
A company or work that sells things or provides services to make money.
Usage pattern:
[someone] runs [a business]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'business' with 'company'. 'Business' can mean the activity in general, not just the legal entity.
Synonyms
company (A formal term for a commercial organization; often interchangeable but 'company' usually refers to a legal entity.)
|
enterprise (Slightly more formal; can also suggest initiative or risk-taking.)
Antonyms
nonprofit (An organization that does not operate for profit; opposite in purpose to a business.)
Collocations
start a business
|run a business
|small business
|family business
|business owner
Themes
business
|economics
|work
|finance
Examples
- She started her own business selling handmade jewelry.
- The business expanded into international markets last year.
- Running a business requires good management skills.
- His family has owned the business for three generations.
Learner examples
- My father owns a small business.
- She works in a big business in the city.
- They started a new business last year.
Noun
B1
action
2
the activity of buying and selling
The work of buying and selling things or providing services.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is in [business]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'in business' meaning 'operating' with 'in business' meaning 'involved in trade'. Context is important.
Synonyms
commerce (More formal; often used in economic or policy contexts.)
Antonyms
leisure (Free time and relaxation; opposite of engaging in trade or work.)
Collocations
do business
|in business
|business world
|business community
Themes
business
|economics
|finance
Examples
- She has been in the fashion business for over a decade.
- Business is booming this summer due to increased tourism.
- He decided to leave the restaurant business to pursue teaching.
Learner examples
- My uncle is in the car business.
- They do business with companies in many countries.
- The hotel business is very busy in summer.
Noun
B1
entity
3
a matter that concerns someone
Something that is about or important to someone.
Usage pattern:
[something] is [someone's] business
Common mistake:
Learners might misinterpret 'none of your business' literally as about work rather than personal matters.
Synonyms
concern (Emphasizes personal involvement or interest.)
|
affair (More formal; can also refer to events or matters generally.)
Antonyms
irrelevance (Something unrelated or unimportant to the person in question.)
Collocations
none of your business
|mind your own business
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- What I do in my free time is my own business.
- This is a private matter and none of your business.
- He made it his business to help new employees settle in.
Learner examples
- It is my business, not yours.
- That is none of your business.
- She made it her business to help us.
Noun
B1
quantity
4
level of commercial activity
How much buying and selling a company does.
Synonyms
trade (Often used for buying and selling between businesses or countries.)
|
sales (Refers specifically to revenue from selling products or services.)
Antonyms
losses (A decline in revenue or sales; opposite trend to more business.)
Collocations
increase in business
|slow business
|busy with business
Themes
business
|finance
Examples
- Business was slow during the winter months.
- The café has seen an increase in business since it renovated.
- They hope the holiday season will bring more business.
Learner examples
- Business is slow today.
- The shop has more business now.
- We hope for good business this month.
Noun
B1
action
5
tasks related to one's job or role
The work you have to do for your job.
Synonyms
duty (A specific responsibility within a role; slightly more formal.)
Antonyms
pleasure ('Pleasure' trips contrast with 'business' trips, which are for work.)
Collocations
official business
|business trip
Themes
work
|business
Examples
- I am here on official business.
- She traveled to New York for business, not vacation.
- He mixed business with pleasure during his trip to Paris.
Learner examples
- I am here for business.
- She went on a business trip.
- He came for work, not for fun.
Grammar
Dictionary form
business
IPA
GB/bˈɪznɪs/
US/bˈɪznɪs/
Syllables & stress
busi - ness (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (busi)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: business
- Plural: business, businesses
Word family
Forms
businesses
noun
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unbusinesslike
adjective
Expressions
business as usual
1/bˈɪznɪs ˈæz jˈuʒuəl/
fixed phrase
normal activities continue despite events
Things are continuing normally even when there are problems or changes.
Examples
- Even after the storm, it was business as usual at the market.
- Despite the scandal, it was still business as usual at the office.
do business with [someone]
1/dˈu bˈɪznɪs wˈɪθ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
engage in commerce with someone
Buy from or sell to someone as part of work.
Examples
- We prefer to do business with local suppliers.
- They have been doing business with that company for decades.
get down to business
1/ɡˈɛt dˈaʊn tə bˈɪznɪs/
idiom
informal
start serious work on main task
Begin doing the most important part of the work.
Examples
- Let's stop chatting and get down to business.
- After some small talk, they got down to business and discussed the contract.
in business
1/ˈɪn bˈɪznɪs/
fixed phrase
operating or ready to operate
Working as a company, store, etc., or ready to start working.
Examples
- The store has been in business for over 50 years.
- Once we get the internet connected, we'll be in business.
Mind your own business
2/mˈaɪnd jˈʊɹ ˈoʊn bˈɪznɪs/
idiom
informal
stay out of others' affairs
Do not ask about or try to be part of something that is private to someone else.
Examples
- He told her to mind her own business when she asked about his salary.
- I wish she would mind her own business instead of gossiping.
- Mind your own business and stop asking questions about my relationship.
- Mind your own business and stop asking questions about my life.
Mind your own business
3/mˈaɪnd jˈʊɹ ˈoʊn bˈɪznɪs/
idiom
informal
stop interfering in others' affairs
Used to tell someone to stop asking about things that are private or not their problem.
Examples
- She told him to mind his own business when he asked about her salary.
- Mind your own business and focus on your work.