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Meaning & use

enterprise

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˈen.tə.praɪz/
US/ˈen.t̬ɚ.praɪz/

Meanings

  1. nouncountablebusiness

    A business, company, or organized commercial activity.

    Grammar: Countable for one company or venture: a small enterprise.

    Patterns

    • a small enterprise
    • state-owned enterprise
    • private enterprise

    The loan helped her start a small enterprise.

    The city supports local enterprises with tax breaks.

    A state-owned enterprise managed the port.

  2. noununcountable

    Boldness and willingness to organize difficult projects, especially those with some risk.

    Grammar: Usually uncountable in phrases like spirit of enterprise.

    Patterns

    • spirit of enterprise
    • show enterprise
    • encourage enterprise

    The prize rewards young people with spirit of enterprise.

    It took enterprise to turn the empty building into a café.

    The school encourages enterprise through student projects.

  3. nouncountableformal

    A challenging project or undertaking, especially one needing effort and planning.

    Grammar: Formal countable use: a risky enterprise.

    Patterns

    • a risky enterprise
    • a joint enterprise

    The expedition was a costly enterprise.

    Starting a farm is a joint enterprise for the family.

    The research proved a longer enterprise than expected.

Word forms

pluralenterprises

Common combinations

small enterprise
A small enterprise can move faster than a large corporation.
private enterprise
The reform encouraged private enterprise.
spirit of enterprise
The award honors the spirit of enterprise.
free enterprise
The candidate spoke in favor of free enterprise.
joint enterprise
The bridge was built as a joint enterprise.

Synonyms and how they differ

business
The everyday word for a company; enterprise can sound more formal and more risk-taking.
venture
A new risky project, often a business; narrower than enterprise as boldness.
initiative
The ability to act independently; enterprise adds the idea of organized effort and risk.

Opposites

cautioninaction

Word family

enterprising adjective
Showing initiative and willingness to take sensible risks.
entrepreneur noun
A person who starts businesses and takes financial risks.
entrepreneurial adjective
Relating to entrepreneurs or a risk-taking business style.

Commonly confused: enterprise or entrepreneur? enterprise or enthusiasm?

enterprise vs entrepreneur

An entrepreneur is a person; enterprise is the business or bold activity itself.

enterprise vs enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is eager interest; enterprise includes organization, effort, and risk.

Practice

Which sentence uses the uncountable “bold initiative” sense of “enterprise”?

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