enterprise

enterprise — noun

1. A company or organization that does business, or a large and difficult project t

1.nounB2
Definition

A company or organization that does business, or a large and difficult project that requires effort and often aims to earn money.

Example

The family enterprise has been passed down through three generations.

collocation: family enterprise

Minh started a small enterprise selling handmade furniture online.

countable use: a small enterprise

Common collocations
  • family enterprise
  • small and medium enterprise
  • joint enterprise
  • business enterprise
  • state-owned enterprise
Synonyms
  • company

    a more general and common term for any business organization; 'enterprise' often suggests ambition or a sense of undertaking

  • venture

    a new business project that involves some risk; narrower than 'enterprise'

  • corporation

    a large company or group of companies, usually in legal or financial contexts

  • undertaking

    a large, important project; more formal and slightly old-fashioned

Grammar Patterns

enterprise + can be a countable noun or uncountable noun

Usage Note

Enterprise is a broad term that can refer to any size of business, from a single-person operation to a multinational corporation. In phrases such as 'small and medium enterprises' (SMEs), it is a formal or official term for a company.

Common Mistakes

She works for a small enterprise company.
She works for a small enterprise.
'enterprise' already means a company or organization, so adding 'company' is redundant.
The enterprise plan was very large.
The enterprise was very large.
'enterprise' itself means the project or organization, so it does not need 'plan' as a supporting word.

2. The energy and willingness to start new projects or think of new ideas, even whe

2.nounB2
Definition

The energy and willingness to start new projects or think of new ideas, even when there is some risk involved.

Example

Elena showed great enterprise by launching her own bakery at the age of twenty-two.

collocation: showed great enterprise

The award recognizes young people who demonstrate enterprise in their local communities.

collocation: demonstrate enterprise

Common collocations
  • show enterprise
  • demonstrate enterprise
  • spirit of enterprise
  • commercial enterprise
Synonyms
  • initiative

    the ability to decide and act on one's own; more common and slightly broader than 'enterprise'

  • resourcefulness

    the ability to solve problems cleverly with limited means; overlaps with 'enterprise' but focuses on finding solutions rather than starting new projects

Antonyms
  • passivity

    a tendency to wait for others to act instead of taking the lead

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun: enterprise + (to-infinitive / in + noun phrase)

Usage Note

This sense is uncountable and describes a personal quality, not an organization. It is almost always used in positive contexts. The closest adjective form is 'enterprising' ('an enterprising young woman').

Common Mistakes

She has a lot of enterprise in her work' (to mean 'she works for many companies').
She shows a lot of enterprise in her work' (to mean 'she takes initiative').
'enterprise' as a quality is uncountable and paired with verbs like 'show' or 'demonstrate', not 'have'. It never means 'many jobs.'

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to business organizations or projects, but they differ in scale, formality, and connotation. 'Company' is the most general and neutral term for any commercial organization — it fits both a local shop and a global brand. 'Corporation' suggests a large, legally structured entity, often with shareholders, and is more formal (used in legal, financial, and regulatory contexts). 'Venture' emphasizes risk and newness — it is used for a start-up or a bold project whose outcome is uncertain ('a risky venture'). 'Undertaking' is more formal and slightly old-fashioned; it highlights the scale and seriousness of a project rather than its business nature ('a massive undertaking'). In everyday conversation, 'company' is the safest choice. For a new business idea, use 'venture'. For a large company with a formal structure, use 'corporation'. For an ambitious, difficult project, use 'enterprise' or 'undertaking'.

company ↗corporation ↗venture ↗undertaking ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • family enterprise
  • private enterprise
  • state enterprise
  • joint enterprise
  • small enterprise
  • medium enterprise

Phrases

  • free enterprise
  • spirit of enterprise
  • enterprise resource planning

Etymology

Old FrenchLatinEnglish

The word 'enterprise' comes from Old French 'entreprise', the feminine past participle of 'entreprendre' meaning 'to undertake'. This was formed from 'entre-' (between) and 'prendre' (to take) — literally 'to take between one's hands', implying taking on a task. It entered English in the 15th century with the meaning of 'an undertaking or project'. The sense of 'a business organization' developed in the 19th century during the Industrial Revolution.