businessman
gb/bˈɪznɪsmˌæn/ us/bˈɪznɪsmˌæn/
A2
English
~ 6300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
man who works in business
A man who works in business, for example buying and selling things or managing a company.
Usage pattern:
a/an [adjective] businessman
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "businessman" for a woman; in modern English this sounds wrong or old-fashioned. Use "businesswoman" for a woman and "businessperson" or "business executive" when you do not want to show gender. Another mistake is writing it as two words (*business man*); the correct form is one word: "businessman" (plural: "businessmen").
Synonyms
businessperson (Gender‑neutral; can refer to a man or woman, and is preferred in modern inclusive language.)
|
executive (Suggests a high‑level manager in a company rather than any man working in business.)
|
entrepreneur (Focuses on someone who starts and owns businesses, often taking financial risks.)
Antonyms
artist (Often used as a contrast for someone focused on creative work rather than commercial or profit‑driven activity.)
Collocations
successful businessman
|local businessman
|wealthy businessman
|young businessman
|self-made businessman
|international businessman
Themes
business
|jobs
|economy
|work
|finance
Examples
- He worked as a businessman in the textile industry for over thirty years.
- A group of local businessmen invested in the new shopping center.
- The Japanese businessman visited their London office to discuss the merger.
- As a young businessman, he traveled constantly to meet clients around the world.
- The city is full of businessmen hurrying to early morning meetings.
Learner examples
- His father is a businessman who sells cars.
- I want to be a businessman when I grow up.
- Many businessmen wear suits to work.
- The businessman flew to New York for a meeting.
- She spoke to a businessman about opening a store.
Noun
B1
entity
2
man skilled at doing business
A man who is very good at doing business and making money.
Usage pattern:
to be a [adjective] businessman
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that in sentences like "He is not a good businessman," the focus is on skill, not job title. It means he is bad at handling money or deals, even if his main job is something else. Also, avoid using it for women; say "good at business" or "good businesswoman" instead.
Synonyms
shrewd operator (Informal; highlights sharp, sometimes aggressive, practical sense in business dealings.)
|
entrepreneur (Implies skill plus willingness to start new ventures and take risks, not just general business ability.)
|
business-minded man (Describes a man who naturally thinks in commercial or profit terms, not necessarily a formal job title.)
Antonyms
amateur (Suggests someone who lacks professional skill or experience, often used when a person is bad at the business side of their work.)
Collocations
a good businessman
|a born businessman
|a shrewd businessman
|a smart businessman
|not much of a businessman
Themes
business
|money
|skills
|finance
|work
Examples
- He is a brilliant designer but not much of a businessman.
- Everyone says his son is a born businessman.
- She handles the creative work, and he is the real businessman in the partnership.
- Despite his talent, he failed because he was a poor businessman.
- To succeed as a restaurateur, you must be both a good cook and a smart businessman.
Learner examples
- He is a good singer but a bad businessman.
- People say he is a born businessman.
- My uncle is a smart businessman and always makes a profit.
- She paints well, but she needs a businessman to help sell her work.
- Without a strong businessman on the team, the project lost money.
Grammar
Dictionary form
businessman
IPA
GB/bˈɪznɪsmˌæn/
US/bˈɪznɪsmˌæn/
Syllables & stress
busi - ness - man (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (busi)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: businessman
- Plural: businessmen
Word family
Forms
businessmen
noun
Core family
Related words
businesslike
adjective
Expressions
a born businessman
1/ə bˈɔɹn bˈɪznɪsmˌæn/
fixed phrase
man naturally gifted at business
Used to say that a man is naturally very good at business, as if he was good at it from birth.
Examples
- With his ability to spot new markets, he's clearly a born businessman.
- Everyone in the family agrees that their youngest brother is a born businessman.