business

BIZ-nis/ˈbɪz.nɪs/

21 meanings of business

1
shop or firmnouncountable
A company or shop that sells goods or services to make money.
They opened a small business near the train station.
Her business sells handmade candles online.
UsageA business is one company. You run or start a business.
Similarcompany, firm, enterprise
2
commercialadjective
Used for work, trade, or other professional activities.
She wore a smart business suit to the interview.
They discussed the deal over a long business lunch.
UsageSay a business trip.
Similarcommercial, professional, corporate
Oppositepersonal, private
3
noununcountable
Work done to earn money, or the kind of work a person does.
She wants to go into business after she finishes college.
Dad is away on business in Chicago until Friday.
UsageSay do business with someone or go into business.
Similarcommerce, trade
4
noununcountable
The work of running companies, or learning how to do it.
She studied business at college before starting her own firm.
He has a degree in business.
Similarmanagement, commerce
5
noununcountable
Companies as a group, thought of all together.
Big business has a lot of power in politics.
The new tax law is good for business.
UsageBig business means large, powerful companies.
Similarindustry, commerce
6
noununcountable
The trade or money that a customer gives to a company.
Thank you for your business this year.
The store lost her business after the rude service.
UsageShops say thank you for your business.
Similarcustom, patronage
7
sales volumenoununcountable
The amount of buying and selling that a company does.
The shop does most of its business during the holidays.
Bad weather slowed business at the seaside restaurant.
UsageSay business is good or business is slow.
Similartrade, custom, sales, revenue, turnover
8
whole affairnouncountable
A situation or activity that is happening, often a confusing or annoying one.
This whole business with the new rules is confusing.
The interview was a strange business from start to finish.
UsageSay this whole business about something.
Similaraffair, matter, episode, situation, thing
9
matter to handlenouncountable
Things that need to be dealt with, such as the topics a meeting must discuss.
We have some urgent business to settle before lunch.
There is still the business of paying off the loan.
UsageLet's get down to business means let's start work.
Similaraffairs, matters, work
Note

Less common meanings

10
personal concernnoununcountable
A matter that has to do with you personally.
What I do on weekends is my own business.
He told the reporters to mind their own business.
UsageMind your own business tells someone not to ask; it can sound rude.
Similaraffair
11
plane seatingnoununcountable
Better plane seats and service than economy, below first class if the airline has it.
Like a seat in the middle of the plane's comfort levels: better than the back, not as fancy as the front.
She flew business to Tokyo for the conference.
They upgraded the whole team to business on the overnight flight.
UsageSay fly business or business class.
Note
12
Hollywoodnouncolloquialcountable or uncountable
The world of movies and television, seen as a place to work.
Many young actors move to Los Angeles hoping to break into the business.
Breaking into the business takes years of auditions and rejections.
Similarindustry, showbiz
Note
13
toilet (animals)nouncolloquialuncountable
A polite word for an animal's poop, or for the act of doing it.
The puppy did its business right by the front door.
Always clean up after your dog does its business in the park.
UsageSay the dog did its business.
Note
14
mischiefnounslangcountable or uncountable
Troublesome or naughty behavior that causes problems for others.
The coach said there would be no funny business on the bus ride home.
The kids were too quiet, so I knew some monkey business was going on.
UsageSay no funny business or monkey business.
Similarnonsense, trouble, mischief, shenanigans
15
adjective
Acting in a serious, professional way that shows care for doing good work.
Like a person who treats even a small job the way a careful store owner would.
Her business approach to the charity event kept everything organized and on budget.
Clients trusted his business manner and his careful attention to every detail.
Similarprofessional, efficient, practical
Oppositeunprofessional, casual
Note
16
adjective
Helping companies do their work or grow more easily.
Amiens is a thoroughly business town, the business being chiefly with the flax-works.
1867, “Amiens”, in Edmund Hodgson Yates
Note
17
stage actionnouncountable or uncountableabbreviationellipsis
Short for stage business. It means small actions an actor does on stage, often with an object.
The director added some business with a teacup to fill the long pause.
The actor's business with his gloves got a laugh from the crowd.
Note
18
nounslangcountable or uncountable
A gentle word for the work of selling sex for money.
She sold sex for years before she finally got out of the business.
The shelter helps women who sell sex find a way out of the business.
Similartrade, game, prostitution
Note
19
the bestnounslangBritishcountable or uncountable
Something that is really good or the best of its kind.
Her grandmother's apple pie is absolutely the business.
That new bike is the business: fast and smooth.
Similarbomb, best, tops
Note
20
nounAustraliacountable or uncountable
Important matters or affairs, especially cultural ones in Aboriginal Australian life.
The family had sorry business to attend to after the death of an elder.
The elders said this was men's business and not for the children.
Note
21
ferretsnounrarecountable
A group of ferrets gathered together.
I'm sure his goons will go through the ship like a business of ferrets, and they'll want to look in our baggage.
2004, Dave Duncan, The Jaguar Knights: A Chronicle of the King's BladesHere, business means a group of ferrets.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Old English "bisignes," which came from "busy" plus "-ness."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

Business derives from Old English bisignes. en.wiktionary.org
The Old English word was formed from the equivalents of busy and -ness. en.wiktionary.org