enterprising

enterprising — adjective

1. willing to take on new or challenging projects and able to find smart ways to ma

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

willing to take on new or challenging projects and able to find smart ways to make them work, often with a financial or practical goal in mind

Example

Aiko, an enterprising teenager, started a dog-walking service in her neighbourhood last summer.

enterprising + role (teenager) who starts a venture

Priya's enterprising approach to selling handmade bracelets online doubled her savings within a year.

enterprising approach to [activity]

Common collocations
  • enterprising spirit
  • enterprising approach
  • enterprising young person
  • enterprising idea
Synonyms
  • entrepreneurial

    more specifically tied to starting or running a business; 'enterprising' is broader

  • resourceful

    focuses on solving problems with what is available; 'enterprising' adds the element of initiating new projects

  • innovative

    emphasises originality and creativity; 'enterprising' also implies the drive to put ideas into action

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

enterprising + noun

be + enterprising

Usage Note

Commonly used before a noun (attributive position) to describe a person's character or actions: an enterprising entrepreneur, an enterprising idea. The predicative form (She is enterprising) is less frequent but acceptable. The word often carries a positive, admiring tone.

Common Mistakes

He is enterprising on finding new clients.
He is enterprising in his approach to finding new clients.
'enterprising' is not followed by 'on + gerund'; use 'in + noun phrase' or 'about + noun phrase.'
She is a very enterprising.
She is very enterprising.
'enterprising' is an adjective and should not be used as a countable noun.

Word family

  • enterprise
    nounB2
  • enterpriser
    nounC2
  • unenterprising
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe a person who takes action, but they highlight different aspects. 'Enterprising' is the broadest — it combines willingness to start new projects, smart problem-solving, and often (but not always) a business angle. 'Entrepreneurial' narrows that to commercial ventures and profit-making. 'Resourceful' focuses on making do with limited tools — a resourceful person fixes a broken bike with tape and wire, while an enterprising person might build a whole repair business from it. 'Innovative' stresses newness and creativity: an innovative chef creates dishes no one has tried before, whereas an enterprising chef launches cooking classes to reach new customers. 'Ambitious' points to the desire for success or advancement but doesn't guarantee the action-oriented, practical skill that 'enterprising' implies. Example: 'The enterprising teenager started a lawn-mowing business (action + initiative), while her ambitious brother simply dreamed of becoming rich (desire, no action).'

entrepreneurialresourcefulinnovative ↗ambitious ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • enterprising spirit
  • enterprising approach
  • enterprising attitude
  • enterprising nature
  • enterprising young person

Adverbs

  • highly enterprising
  • very enterprising
  • remarkably enterprising

Phrases

  • an enterprising idea
  • enterprising efforts
  • enterprising initiative

Prepositions

  • enterprising in [something]

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'enterprising' comes from the noun 'enterprise', which entered English from Old French 'entreprise' (a feminine past participle of 'entreprendre' — 'to undertake'). 'Entreprendre' combines 'entre-' (between) and 'prendre' (to take), literally meaning 'to take between one's hands' — implying taking something on. The adjective 'enterprising' appeared in the late 1500s, describing someone ready to undertake difficult or new tasks.