entrepreneur

noun

en·​tre·​pre·​neur ˌän-trə-p(r)ə-ˈnər How to pronounce entrepreneur (audio)
-ˈn(y)u̇r,
ˌäⁿn-
: one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise
entrepreneurship
ˌän-trə-p(r)ə-ˈnər-ˌship
-ˈn(y)u̇r- How to pronounce entrepreneur (audio)
ˌäⁿn-
noun

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The Characteristics of an Entrepreneur

You might well wonder whether entrepreneur simply means “a person who starts a business and is willing to risk loss in order to make money” or whether it carries an additional connotation of far-sightedness and innovation. The answer, perhaps unsatisfyingly, is that it can go in either direction.

Entrepreneur has been used in English to refer to a kind of businessman since at least the middle of the 18th century, when it appeared in translation of the King of Prussia’s instructions for his generals (“. . . if the country happens not to abound in forage, you must agree with some Entrepreneur for the quantity required.”). During the 19th century, it was also used of a go-between or a person who undertakes any kind of activity (as opposed to just a business).

By the early 20th century entrepreneur appears to have taken on the connotation of go-getter when applied to an independent business owner, a quality that may also be found in the phrase entrepreneurial spirit, which began being used at about the same time.

Examples of entrepreneur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Incubators aren’t just a fertile ground for entrepreneurs. Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 Second, Maryland has consistently punished job creators and entrepreneurs. Justin Ready, Baltimore Sun, 21 May 2025 Daniella Pierson, entrepreneur, founder and chief executive officer of The Newsette, is leveraging her network and entrepreneurial knowledge to help women everywhere find their own success in business. Alexandra Pastore, Footwear News, 20 May 2025 The Motor City ownership group also includes technology entrepreneur Kal Somani, co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League; Ronin Capital Partners, led by Jay Farner, former CEO of Rocket Companies; and sports investment firm RHC Group. Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for entrepreneur

Word History

Etymology

French, from Old French, from entreprendre to undertake — more at enterprise

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of entrepreneur was in 1762

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Cite this Entry

“Entrepreneur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entrepreneur. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

entrepreneur

noun
en·​tre·​pre·​neur ˌän-trə-p(r)ə-ˈnər How to pronounce entrepreneur (audio)
-ˈn(y)u̇r
: one who organizes, manages, and takes on the risks of a business or enterprise
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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