What does “company” mean?

“company” means An organization that sells goods or services to make money.. Pronounced /ˈkʌmpəni/. Close synonyms: firm,business. For example: The company has been operating in Spain since 2010.

What does “corporation” mean?

“corporation” means A large company or group of companies acting as a single legal organization.. Pronounced /ˌkɔrpəˈreɪʃən/. Close synonyms: company, large business, firm. For example: Large corporations are expected to publish their accounts every year.

What does “subsidiary” mean?

“subsidiary” means A company that is owned and controlled by a larger company.. Pronounced /səbˈsɪdiɛri/. Close synonyms: affiliate, owned company. For example: The German subsidiary, which was opened in 2018, now employs over 300 people.

What does “shareholder” mean?

“shareholder” means A person who owns shares in a company.. Pronounced /ˈʃɛrˌhoʊldər/. Close synonyms: stockholder, part-owner. For example: The shareholders were told that the dividend would be cut.

What does “branch” mean?

“branch” means A local office or shop that is part of a larger company.. Pronounced /bræntʃ/. Close synonyms: local office, outlet. For example: If the branch keeps losing money, it will be closed next year.

What does “firm” mean?

“firm” means A company, especially one offering professional services such as law or consulting.. Pronounced /fɜrm/. Close synonyms: company,business. For example: She works for a law firm whose clients include several banks.

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English B2 — Business & Economy Official

Business, money and economics English at B2, defined in English. Words covering companies and markets, finance and trade, growth and risk, each with an English definition, IPA, synonyms and a usage note on the collocations that make business English sound native.

CEFR B2 — Upper Intermediate

At this level you can follow news, debate topics, write essays. Vocabulary: ~4,000 words (cumulative).

Words in this deck

What does “company” mean?: “company” means An organization that sells goods or services to make money.. Pronounced /ˈkʌmpəni/. Close synonyms: firm,business. For example: The company has been operating in Spain since 2010.
What does “corporation” mean?: “corporation” means A large company or group of companies acting as a single legal organization.. Pronounced /ˌkɔrpəˈreɪʃən/. Close synonyms: company, large business, firm. For example: Large corporations are expected to publish their accounts every year.
What does “subsidiary” mean?: “subsidiary” means A company that is owned and controlled by a larger company.. Pronounced /səbˈsɪdiɛri/. Close synonyms: affiliate, owned company. For example: The German subsidiary, which was opened in 2018, now employs over 300 people.
What does “shareholder” mean?: “shareholder” means A person who owns shares in a company.. Pronounced /ˈʃɛrˌhoʊldər/. Close synonyms: stockholder, part-owner. For example: The shareholders were told that the dividend would be cut.
What does “branch” mean?: “branch” means A local office or shop that is part of a larger company.. Pronounced /bræntʃ/. Close synonyms: local office, outlet. For example: If the branch keeps losing money, it will be closed next year.
What does “firm” mean?: “firm” means A company, especially one offering professional services such as law or consulting.. Pronounced /fɜrm/. Close synonyms: company,business. For example: She works for a law firm whose clients include several banks.

English · definitions in English 250 words ~25 days at 10 words/day 0 downloads B2

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Word List — click grammar notes to expand

Word	Translation	Example
companyneutral /ˈkʌmpəni/ An organization that sells goods or services to make money. Synonyms: firm,business	business organization	The company has been operating in Spain since 2010.
In American usage it takes singular agreement, so the company is hiring, not are hiring. Frames: work for a company, set up or run a company, a company that makes shoes. Company also means being with other people, and that sense is uncountable.
corporationneutral /ˌkɔrpəˈreɪʃən/ A large company or group of companies acting as a single legal organization. Synonyms: company, large business, firm	large legal company	Large corporations are expected to publish their accounts every year.
In the United States this is a specific legal form, which is what Inc. or Corp. after a name marks. The adjective is corporate: corporate tax, corporate culture, a corporate lawyer. Neutral in reporting, but big corporations can sound disapproving in campaigning writing.
subsidiaryneutral /səbˈsɪdiɛri/ A company that is owned and controlled by a larger company. Synonyms: affiliate, owned company	company owned by another	The German subsidiary, which was opened in 2018, now employs over 300 people.
A subsidiary of a larger company; the company above it is the parent company. Plural subsidiaries, with the y changing to ies. The same spelling is also an adjective meaning secondary, as in a subsidiary role or a subsidiary question.
shareholderneutral /ˈʃɛrˌhoʊldər/ A person who owns shares in a company. Synonyms: stockholder, part-owner	owner of company shares	The shareholders were told that the dividend would be cut.
Shareholders hold or own shares in a company, and the majority shareholder holds the largest block. A shareholders' meeting takes the plural possessive apostrophe. Written as one word with no hyphen, though American finance writing often says stockholder instead.
branchneutral /bræntʃ/ A local office or shop that is part of a larger company. Synonyms: local office, outlet	local office; division	If the branch keeps losing money, it will be closed next year.
A branch of a bank or a chain, controlled by the head office, or headquarters. Companies open, run and close branches. Unlike a subsidiary, a branch is not a separate company, only part of one. The verb branch out means move into a new activity.
firmneutral /fɜrm/ A company, especially one offering professional services such as law or consulting. Synonyms: company,business	professional services company	She works for a law firm whose clients include several banks.
Strongest with professional services: a law firm, an accounting firm, a consulting firm. A factory is a company rather than a firm. Unrelated to the adjective firm, meaning solid, or the phrase stand firm, which only share the spelling.
workforceneutral /ˈwɜrkˌfɔrs/ All the people who work for a company or in a country. Synonyms: staff	all a company's workers	Nearly half of the workforce has been with the company for over ten years.
It names the whole body of workers, so a single employee is never a workforce. Singular agreement even though it covers many people: the workforce has shrunk. Common frames: cut, expand, train or retrain the workforce, written as one word.
managementneutral /ˈmænɪdʒmənt/ The people who control and organize a company. Synonyms: leadership, executives	the people in charge	Management announced that the office would move to Madrid.
Two senses share the word: the people running a company, with singular agreement in American usage, and the activity of running it, as in under new management or project management. Uncountable either way. Senior and middle management name the levels.
founderneutral /ˈfaʊndər/ The person who starts a company or organization. Synonyms: creator, originator	person who started it	The founder, who started the business in her garage, still owns most of the shares.
Founder of a company, and co-founder when there was more than one. It comes from found, whose past tense is founded; founded is not the past of find, and mixing the two is the usual slip. A founder still running the business is often the founder and CEO.
partnershipneutral /ˈpɑrtnərˌʃɪp/ A business owned by two or more people who share profits and responsibility. Synonyms: joint business, alliance	shared business ownership	They set up a partnership instead of registering a limited company.
A partnership between two people, or a partnership with another firm; the people in it are partners. Also used loosely of any working alliance, as in a partnership with a local charity. In business law it contrasts with a corporation.
takeoverneutral /ˈteɪkˌoʊvər/ When one company gets control of another by buying most of its shares. Synonyms: acquisition, buyout	buying control of a company	The takeover was approved despite strong opposition from employees.
One word as a noun, two as a verb: one firm takes over another, and the result is a takeover. A hostile takeover is one the target resists, and a takeover bid is the offer itself. Compare merger, where the two sides join by agreement.
mergerneutral /ˈmɜrdʒər/ When two companies join together to form one larger company. Synonyms: combination, tie-up	joining of two companies	If the merger had failed, both companies would have gone bankrupt.
A merger between two firms, or a merger with a rival. The verb is merge: the two banks merged last year. Mergers and acquisitions is the standard name for the field, shortened to M and A in speech. A merger is mutual; a takeover need not be.
franchiseneutral /ˈfrænˌtʃaɪz/ The right to run a business using a bigger company's name and products. Synonyms: licensed outlet, brand license	licensed business rights	The fast-food chain sells franchises to local investors.
A company grants or sells a franchise; the buyer is a franchisee and the brand owner is the franchisor. It also names the outlet itself and, in politics, the right to vote. Verb use is common: the chain franchised its restaurants.
solventformal /ˈsɑlvənt/ Having enough money to pay all your debts. Synonyms: financially sound, able to pay	able to pay debts	The auditors confirmed that the company remains solvent despite last year's losses.
Normally after a linking verb: stay solvent, remain solvent, barely solvent. The opposite is insolvent, and the nouns are solvency and insolvency. Solvent is not the same as profitable: a firm can be losing money and still able to pay what it owes.
expansionneutral /ɪkˈspænʃən/ The process of a business becoming bigger or entering new markets. Synonyms: growth	moving into new markets	The expansion into Asia was riskier than the board had expected.
Expansion into a market, expansion of the network. Rapid and planned expansion are frequent, and in economics an expansion is the growing phase of a cycle. The verb is expand, and you expand into a country, not expand to one.
restructuringneutral /ˌriˈstrʌktʃərɪŋ/ Organizing a company in a new way to make it work better. Synonyms: reorganization, shake-up	reorganizing a company	The restructuring, which took two years, made the company far more efficient.
Usually uncountable, though a restructuring is possible when naming one round of it. In company reporting it often works as a polite cover for job cuts, so readers treat it with suspicion. Debt restructuring means changing repayment terms, not moving staff.
bankruptcyneutral /ˈbæŋkrəptsi/ The legal state of being unable to pay your debts. Synonyms: insolvency, financial failure	legal inability to pay	The airline avoided bankruptcy by selling half of its planes.
File for, declare or go into bankruptcy; you avoid or face it. The adjective is bankrupt, as in the firm went bankrupt. Countable when counting cases: bankruptcies rose last year. It is a legal status, not simply having no money.
multinationalneutral /ˌmʌltiˈnæʃənəl/ A large company that operates in many different countries. Synonyms: global company, international firm	company in many countries	Having worked for a multinational, she found it easy to adapt to the new culture.
Used both as a noun, a multinational, and as an adjective, a multinational company. Often written out as multinational corporation and shortened to MNC in business writing. Neutral in reporting, though campaigners use it with clear disapproval.
board of directorsneutral /ˌbɔrd əv dəˈrɛktərz/ The group of people chosen to control a company and make major decisions. Synonyms: the board, governing body	a company's governing group	The board of directors meets every month to review the results.
Normally shortened to the board: sit on the board, report to the board, a board meeting. Singular agreement in American usage, so the board has decided. One member is a director or a board member, never a board.
loanneutral /loʊn/ Money that you borrow, especially from a bank, and must pay back. Synonyms: credit, advance	borrowed money	The bank refused to give us a loan unless we offered some security.
Take out, apply for or repay a loan; a bank grants or gives one. A loan of ten thousand dollars, a loan from a bank. Keep the three words apart: the bank lends, you borrow, and the loan is the money itself.
interest rateneutral /ˈɪntrəst ˌreɪt/ The percentage a bank charges you for borrowing money. Synonyms: borrowing rate, rate of interest	cost of borrowing percentage	If interest rates were lower, more families would buy their own homes.
Rates rise, fall, are cut or are raised, and a loan is at a rate of five percent. Two words, and usually plural when speaking generally: interest rates are low. Interest itself is uncountable, so earn interest and pay interest, never interests here.
mortgageneutral /ˈmɔrgɪdʒ/ A loan from a bank used to buy a house or flat. Synonyms: home loan, property loan	home loan	They took out a thirty-year mortgage to buy the flat.
The t is silent: /ˈmɔrgɪdʒ/. Take out, pay off or be refused a mortgage, and you have a mortgage on a house. Also a verb: they mortgaged the property. It names the loan, not the house itself.
debtneutral /dɛt/ Money that you owe to a person, bank, or company. Synonyms: money owed, borrowings	money owed	The company is deeply in debt, which worries its investors.
The b is silent. Uncountable in the state sense: in debt, out of debt, deeply in debt. Countable when listing separate ones, as in she paid off her debts. Do not confuse it with deficit, the yearly gap between what comes in and what goes out.
savingsneutral /ˈseɪvɪŋz/ Money that you keep, usually in a bank, instead of spending it. Synonyms: reserves, money put aside	money set aside	He put all his savings into the business, which turned out to be a wise decision.
Always plural with plural agreement: my savings are gone, her savings were spent. A savings account keeps the plural form as a modifier. The singular saving means an amount avoided, as in a saving of twenty dollars.
investmentneutral /ɪnˈvɛstmənt/ Money that you put into something to make a profit later. Synonyms: stake, outlay	money put in for profit	Buying property used to be considered the safest investment.
Investment in something, never investment to. Countable for one particular case, a good investment, and uncountable for the activity, as in investment fell sharply. The verb is invest in and the person an investor. Also figurative: an investment of time.
investorneutral /ɪnˈvɛstər/ A person or organization that puts money into a business to make a profit. Synonyms: backer, shareholder	person who invests money	Investors were warned that they could lose all their money.
An investor in a company or in a fund. Frequent pairings: private, institutional, small and foreign investors. A retail investor is an ordinary individual rather than a firm. Investor confidence is a fixed phrase in market reporting.
seasonalneutral /ˈsizənəl/ Changing or happening according to the time of year. Synonyms: cyclical, time-of-year	varying with the seasons	Ice-cream sales are highly seasonal, so the firm hires extra staff every summer.
Seasonal work, seasonal demand, seasonal workers. It means tied to the time of year, not occasional or irregular, which is the error to avoid. Figures corrected for this pattern are seasonally adjusted, a set phrase in economic reporting.
interest-freeneutral /ˌɪntrəstˈfri/ Involving no extra charge for borrowing money. Synonyms: no-interest, free of interest	charging no interest	The shop offers interest-free credit on purchases over five hundred euros.
Keeps the hyphen both before a noun and after a verb: interest-free credit, the loan is interest-free. The -free ending behaves the same way in tax-free and duty-free. Common frames: an interest-free period, interest-free installments.
depositneutral /dɪˈpɑzɪt/ Money paid in advance as the first part of a payment. Synonyms: down payment, advance	advance part-payment	You will have to pay a deposit of ten per cent when you sign the contract.
Pay or put down a deposit on something: a deposit on a car, a deposit of ten percent. The same word names money placed in a bank, and the verb deposit means to pay money in. For a house, American English usually says down payment.
transactionneutral /trænˈzækʃən/ An act of buying, selling, or moving money between accounts. Synonyms: deal, payment	act of buying or paying	Every transaction is recorded automatically by the system.
Carry out, complete or process a transaction. Countable, and common in cash transaction, online transaction and transaction fee. The verb transact is rare and stiff; ordinary writing says do business or make a payment instead.
feeneutral /fi/ Money you pay for a professional service. Synonyms: charge	payment for a service	The bank charges a small fee for transferring money abroad.
Fees are what professionals and institutions charge: legal fees, tuition fees, a booking fee. You pay, charge or waive a fee. Keep it apart from price, what goods cost, and from fare, what you pay to travel somewhere.
fundsneutral /fʌndz/ Money that is available to be spent for a particular purpose. Synonyms: money	available money	The project was canceled because the funds had run out.
Plural with plural agreement: the funds are gone, there are no funds for it. You raise, allocate or release funds. The singular a fund is a pool of money with a purpose, such as a pension fund. Short of funds and insufficient funds are fixed phrases.
capitalneutral /ˈkæpɪtəl/ Money used to start or grow a business. Synonyms: funding, financial backing	money to start a business	They didn't have enough capital to open a second restaurant.
Uncountable: raise capital, tie up capital, a capital injection. Venture capital funds young companies, and working capital is the cash a firm runs on day to day. A capital city and a capital letter are unrelated senses of the same spelling.
assetneutral /ˈæsɛt/ Something valuable that a person or company owns. Synonyms: property, holding	valuable thing owned	The buildings are the most valuable assets the company owns.
Usually plural in accounting, where assets are set against liabilities. Fixed assets are buildings and machines; liquid assets are cash or things easily sold. Also used of people: she is an asset to the team means she is a real advantage.
liabilityformal /ˌlaɪəˈbɪləti/ Money that a company or person owes; a debt. Synonyms: debt	debt; legal responsibility	The auditors found that the firm's liabilities were greater than its assets.
In accounting it is usually plural, as in liabilities exceed assets. The other sense is legal responsibility: liability for damages, limited liability, which is what Ltd. and LLC mark. Informally a person can be a liability, meaning a burden.
cash flowneutral /ˈkæʃ ˌfloʊ/ The movement of money into and out of a business. Synonyms: flow of money, liquidity	money moving through a business	Many small businesses fail because of poor cash flow rather than a bad product.
It measures timing, not profit, so a profitable firm can still run out of cash. Positive and negative cash flow, and cash flow problems, are the usual frames. Two words in American usage, and uncountable: cash flow was weak.
revenueneutral /ˈrɛvəˌnu/ The money a company receives from selling goods or services. Synonyms: income	money coming in from sales	Revenue rose by 15 per cent last year, mainly thanks to online sales.
Normally uncountable with singular agreement: revenue rose, revenue was flat. The plural revenues appears when several streams or periods are meant. It is money in before costs, so it is not profit; turnover is the British word for the same figure.
profitneutral /ˈprɑfɪt/ Money you gain when you sell something for more than it cost you. Synonyms: gain	money gained	The company made a profit for the first time since it was founded.
Make, turn or post a profit; a profit of two million; sell something at a profit. Gross profit is before costs are taken out, net profit after. Profit is what is left over, while revenue is the whole amount taken in.
lossneutral /lɔs/ Money that a business loses when costs are higher than income. Synonyms: shortfall, deficit	money lost	The factory reported heavy losses, which led to hundreds of job cuts.
Make, report or post a loss, and a company operates or trades at a loss. Heavy and record losses are common. In the red means running at a loss, in the black means profitable. The plural also names jobs or lives lost, so context decides.
expenseneutral /ɪkˈspɛns/ Money spent on something, especially as part of doing business. Synonyms: cost	money spent	Travel expenses will be paid back provided that you keep the receipts.
Money claimed back from an employer is almost always plural expenses, never a single expense: travel expenses, claim expenses, expenses were approved. Uncountable in the fixed phrases at great expense and at the expense of.
incomeneutral /ˈɪnˌkʌm/ The money a person or organization receives regularly. Synonyms: earnings	money received regularly	Families whose income is below the average will receive extra help.
Usually uncountable: income rose, on a low income. Countable when comparing several, as in household incomes. Frequent frames: a source of income, disposable income, income tax. Income is everything coming in; salary is only what an employer pays.
dividendneutral /ˈdɪvɪˌdɛnd/ Part of a company's profit that is paid to shareholders. Synonyms: profit share, payout	profit paid to shareholders	The dividend, which is paid twice a year, attracts many small investors.
Companies pay, declare, raise or cut a dividend, and shareholders receive one. A dividend of fifty cents a share. The idiom pay dividends means bring benefits later on, as in the training paid dividends within a year.
share (in a company)neutral /ʃɛr/ One of the equal parts into which a company's value is divided. Synonyms: stock, equity unit	unit of company ownership	He sold his shares just before the price collapsed, which was extremely lucky.
Buy, hold and sell shares in a company, and the price of one is the share price. American finance more often says stock, where shares counts the individual units and stock names the holding. The everyday verb share, to divide something up, is the same word.
stock marketneutral /ˈstɑk ˌmɑrkɪt/ The activity of buying and selling shares in companies. Synonyms: share market, equity market	where shares are traded	The stock market fell sharply after the bad news was published.
A stock exchange is the institution where trading happens, while the stock market is the activity and the prices overall. It always takes the: the stock market rose, fell or crashed. Listed on the stock market means a company's shares trade publicly.
long-termneutral /ˌlɔŋˈtɜrm/ Continuing or having an effect far into the future. Synonyms: lasting, far-reaching	far into the future	Investing in staff training brings long-term benefits that are hard to measure.
Hyphenated before a noun: a long-term plan, long-term unemployment. After a verb it is written as two words with no hyphen, as in they are thinking long term. In the long term is the set phrase for the period itself.
bankingneutral /ˈbæŋkɪŋ/ The business activity of banks. Synonyms: bank business, the banking industry	the business of banks	Online banking has made it unnecessary to visit a branch.
It names the industry or the activity, not one bank: work in banking, the banking sector, online banking, investment banking. The verb bank means to keep or put money at a bank, as in she banks with a credit union.
lenderneutral /ˈlɛndər/ A person or organization that lends money. Synonyms: creditor, loan provider	one who lends money	Lenders must check whether borrowers can really pay the money back.
A lender lends and a borrower borrows; swapping the two is the standard error. Mortgage lender and payday lender name types, and lender of last resort is a fixed phrase for a central bank's role. Lend has the past form lent.
creditneutral /ˈkrɛdɪt/ An arrangement to buy something now and pay for it later. Synonyms: deferred payment, store credit	buy now, pay later	Most customers prefer to buy now and pay later using credit.
Buy on credit, offer credit, a credit limit: uncountable in this sense. A credit rating measures how safely someone can be lent money. An unrelated sense is praise, as in take credit for it.
short-termneutral /ˌʃɔrtˈtɜrm/ Lasting or having an effect for only a short time. Synonyms: temporary, brief	lasting only briefly	Cutting the research budget was a short-term solution that created bigger problems later.
It often carries mild criticism, hinting that the longer view was ignored. Hyphenated before a noun, as in a short-term fix and short-term gains, but two words after a verb: they are planning short term. In the short term names the period.
insuranceneutral /ɪnˈʃʊrəns/ An agreement in which a company pays your costs if something bad happens. Synonyms: cover, protection	protection against loss	You are strongly advised to take out insurance before renting the machinery.
The policy is the document, the premium is what you pay, and a claim is what you file after a loss. You take out insurance or have insurance on a car. The verb is insure something against a risk, and the company is an insurer.
supplyneutral /səˈplaɪ/ The amount of a product that is available to be sold. Synonyms: available amount, stock	amount available to sell	When supply exceeds demand, prices tend to fall.
Supply and demand is a fixed pair, always in that order. Uncountable in this sense: supply is tight, supply exceeds demand. Also a verb, supply someone with something. The plural supplies means materials kept in stock, such as office supplies.
demand (noun)neutral /dɪˈmænd/ The amount of a product or service that people want to buy. Synonyms: buying interest, market appetite	desire to buy	Demand for electric cars has grown so quickly that factories cannot keep up.
Demand for something, never demand of. Uncountable here: demand is strong, demand has grown. In high demand and meet demand are set phrases. The countable a demand is something insisted on, as in a pay demand, which is a separate sense.
tradeneutral /treɪd/ The activity of buying and selling goods and services between people or countries. Synonyms: commerce	buying and selling	Trade between the two countries has doubled over the last decade.
The verb takes with for the partner and in for the product: trade with a country, trade in coffee. Free trade and a trade deal are fixed, and the noun is uncountable in this sense. It also names a skilled manual job, as in learn a trade.
tariffneutral /ˈtɛrɪf/ A tax on goods coming into or leaving a country. Synonyms: import duty, customs duty	import tax	The new tariffs on steel are expected to raise prices for consumers.
Usually plural in reporting: impose, raise or lift tariffs on something. A tariff on steel, not a tariff for steel. It applies only to goods crossing a border, which separates it from a sales tax charged inside the country.
goodsneutral /gʊdz/ Physical products that are made to be sold. Synonyms: products,merchandise	products for sale	The goods were damaged during transport, so we asked for our money back.
Always plural with plural agreement: the goods were damaged, these goods are cheap. There is no singular a good in this sense, so use item or product. Consumer goods, luxury goods and goods and services are fixed phrases.
commodityneutral /kəˈmɑdəti/ A basic product, such as coffee or oil, that is bought and sold in large amounts. Synonyms: raw material, traded product	basic traded product	Coffee is one of the most traded commodities in the world.
Plural commodities, and commodity prices is the usual frame in economic writing. It covers unprocessed goods such as oil, wheat and copper, so a phone is a product but not a commodity. Used loosely, it means something so ordinary that only price matters.
supplierneutral /səˈplaɪər/ A company or person that provides goods or services to another business. Synonyms: provider	company that provides goods	We changed suppliers because the previous one kept delivering late.
A supplier of parts, or a supplier to a company. You change, drop or approve suppliers. The verb is supply someone with something, or supply something to someone. Keep it apart from the noun supply, which is the amount available rather than the firm.
wholesalerneutral /ˈhoʊlˌseɪlər/ A business that sells goods in large quantities to shops, not to the public. Synonyms: bulk supplier, distributor	bulk seller to shops	Buying directly from the wholesaler is cheaper than going through a shop.
The w is silent, so it opens like hole. Wholesale works as adjective and adverb: buy wholesale, wholesale prices. A wholesaler sells to businesses, while a retailer sells to the public, and the two words are opposites in trade writing.
retailerneutral /ˈriˌteɪlər/ A business that sells goods directly to the public. Synonyms: shop, merchant	shop selling to the public	Online retailers have taken customers away from traditional shops.
Retail serves as noun and adjective: work in retail, retail price, a retail chain. Retailers sell to consumers and buy from wholesalers. Online retailer and major retailer are frequent pairings. The verb retail means sell at that price.
consumerneutral /kənˈsumər/ A person who buys goods or services for their own use. Synonyms: buyer,customer	buyer of products	Consumers are becoming more and more worried about where products come from.
Common in consumer goods, consumer spending, consumer rights and consumer confidence. It views the person as part of a market, so a shop talks about its customers while an economist talks about consumers. Usually plural when meaning the public.
competitionneutral /ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃən/ The situation in which companies try to be more successful than others. Synonyms: rivalry, contest	rivalry between companies	Competition in the food sector is so fierce that many small shops close within a year.
Two senses with different countability: rivalry is uncountable, as in competition is fierce, while a contest is countable, as in she won a competition. Frames: competition from rivals, competition for customers, face stiff competition.
competitorneutral /kəmˈpɛtətər/ A company or person trying to win business against others in the same market. Synonyms: rival	business rival	Our main competitor has just cut its prices, so we will have to react quickly.
A competitor in a market, or a competitor for a contract. Main, close and direct competitor are common. Rival is the everyday word, competitor the standard term in business writing. Note that competitive can mean either rivalrous or attractively priced.
monopolyneutral /məˈnɑpəli/ Complete control of a market by one company or organization. Synonyms: sole control, market dominance	one company's total control	For decades the state had a monopoly on the railways, so tickets were expensive.
A monopoly on or over something, or a monopoly in a market. You hold, have or break a monopoly. The verb is monopolize. Nearby terms are duopoly, where two firms dominate, and oligopoly, where a few do.
market shareneutral /ˈmɑrkɪt ˌʃɛr/ The percentage of total sales in a market that one company has. Synonyms: share of the market, market position	percentage of market sales	The firm's market share has fallen from 30 to 22 per cent in two years.
You gain, lose or hold market share, and it is always expressed as a percentage rather than a sum of money. Share here means portion, not a share in a company. Two words, uncountable, and usually with a possessive: its market share.
shortageneutral /ˈʃɔrtɪdʒ/ A situation in which there is not enough of something that people need. Synonyms: lack	not enough of something	The shortage of housing has pushed rents up all over the country.
A shortage of something, and countable: shortages of fuel and food. Labor shortage, housing shortage and chronic shortage are frequent. The adjective works differently, so we are short of staff, never we are shortage of staff.
distributionneutral /ˌdɪstrəˈbjuʃən/ The process of moving goods from producers to shops or customers. Synonyms: delivery, supply network	getting goods to buyers	Distribution used to be the most expensive part of the business until they built their own warehouse.
Uncountable here: handle distribution, a distribution center, a distribution network. The verb is distribute, stressed on the second syllable. The word also means how something is spread out, as in the distribution of income.
shipmentneutral /ˈʃɪpmənt/ A quantity of goods sent together to a customer or place. Synonyms: delivery	batch of sent goods	The shipment, which should have arrived on Monday, was delayed by the storm.
Countable: a shipment of parts, three shipments a week. Despite the name, a shipment can travel by truck or plane, since ship as a verb simply means send. Shipping is the uncountable activity and also the cost of it.
warehouseneutral /ˈwɛrˌhaʊs/ A large building where goods are kept before being sold or sent. Synonyms: storehouse, depot	storage building	The goods are stored in a warehouse outside the city until they are needed.
Goods are stored, held or kept in a warehouse. It also works as a verb in trade writing: they warehouse the stock locally. The first part is ware, meaning goods, which is spelled differently from wear, and the plural is warehouses.
logisticsneutral /loʊˈdʒɪstɪks/ The organization of moving, storing, and delivering goods. Synonyms: transport management, operations	organizing transport and storage	Good logistics is what allows supermarkets to sell fresh fish far from the coast.
Plural in form but normally takes singular agreement: logistics is expensive. Frames: the logistics of an operation, a logistics company, logistics costs. In everyday speech the logistics of something means its practical arrangements.
supply chainneutral /səˈplaɪ ˌtʃeɪn/ The whole system of people and companies involved in making and delivering a product. Synonyms: production network, supply network	network making and delivering goods	If one link in the supply chain breaks, the whole factory may stop working.
Two words, countable, normally used with the: along the supply chain, a break in the supply chain. Supply chain disruption and supply chain management are standard phrases. A link in the chain is one company or one step.
globalizationneutral /ˌgloʊbələˈzeɪʃən/ The process by which trade and culture spread across the whole world. Synonyms: worldwide integration, global spread	worldwide spread of trade	Globalization has made it possible for small firms to sell worldwide.
Spelled with an s in British writing and as globalization with a z in American writing, and both sound the same. Uncountable, with no plural. The verb is globalize and the adjective global, as in global markets and a global brand.
sanctionneutral /ˈsæŋkʃən/ An official punishment, often limiting trade, used against a country. Synonyms: trade penalty, economic penalty	official trade punishment	Economic sanctions were imposed on the country after it broke the agreement.
Almost always plural in this sense: impose, lift or tighten sanctions on a country. The verb pulls the other way, since sanction usually means approve, so a sanctioned plan is an approved one while a sanctioned country is a punished one.
deficitneutral /ˈdɛfəsɪt/ The amount by which spending is greater than income. Synonyms: shortfall, gap	spending gap	The government promised to reduce the deficit without raising taxes.
A budget deficit or a trade deficit; you run, cut or close one. The opposite is a surplus. It measures one period's shortfall, while debt is the total owed, so each year's deficit adds to the debt.
bubbleneutral /ˈbʌbəl/ A situation in which prices rise far above the real value before falling suddenly. Synonyms: price boom, inflated market	prices far above value	Everyone knew the property bubble would burst; nobody knew when.
A housing bubble, a stock bubble, a tech bubble. Bubbles form, inflate and then burst, never break, and what follows the burst is the bust. Calling something a bubble is already a judgment, since it says the prices cannot last.
steepneutral /stip/ Rising or falling quickly and by a large amount. Synonyms: sharp	sharp and large	The steep rise in energy prices forced many factories to cut production.
A steep rise, a steep fall, a steep decline, and the adverb is steeply: prices rose steeply. Said of a price it means unreasonably high, as in forty dollars is a bit steep. It also keeps its literal sense of a slope.
nicheneutral /niʃ/ A small, specific part of a market with its own special customers. Synonyms: specialist market, market segment	small specialized market	They found a niche selling vegan cheese, which nobody else was offering locally.
Said either /niʃ/ or /nɪtʃ/, with /niʃ/ the more common in business speech. A niche in a market, or a niche for a product; you find, fill or occupy one. Also an adjective: a niche product, niche appeal.
campaignneutral /kæmˈpeɪn/ A planned series of activities designed to advertise or achieve something. Synonyms: drive, promotional push	organized series of actions	The campaign was so successful that sales tripled in three months.
The g is silent, so it sounds like cam-pane. You launch, run or mount a campaign, and a campaign is for something or against it. Advertising, marketing and election campaign are the usual frames. Also a verb: campaign for change.
target audienceneutral /ˈtɑrgɪt ˌɔdiəns/ The particular group of people a product or advert is aimed at. Synonyms: intended viewers, target market	the intended group	Before designing the advert, you need to know who your target audience is.
Target market names the buyers rather than the viewers, and target also works as a verb. Know your target audience is the usual frame, normally singular with the or a possessive. Audience takes singular agreement in American usage.
advertisementneutral /ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt/ A notice, picture, or film that tries to persuade people to buy something. Synonyms: ad, commercial	paid promotional notice	The advertisement was banned because it made claims that could not be proved.
American speech stresses the third syllable, ad-ver-TIZE-ment. Shortened to ad in ordinary use, and to advert in British English. You run, place or ban an advertisement, and it is an advertisement for a product. The uncountable activity is advertising.
customerneutral /ˈkʌstəmər/ A person who buys goods or services from a shop or business. Synonyms: client,buyer	person who buys	Customers who are treated well tend to come back and spend more.
A customer of a business, and regular, loyal or dissatisfied customer are common. A shop has customers, while a lawyer or an agency has clients who buy professional services. Customer service and customer base are fixed compounds.
salesneutral /seɪlz/ The number or value of products sold in a period of time. Synonyms: sales figures, revenue	amount sold	Sales have been falling steadily since the new competitor entered the market.
Plural with plural agreement in this sense: sales are down, sales have risen. It also works as a modifier for the selling side of a business: the sales team, a sales rep, work in sales. A sale in the singular is one transaction or a discount period.
sloganneutral /ˈsloʊgən/ A short, memorable phrase used in advertising. Synonyms: tagline, catchphrase	short advertising phrase	A good slogan is easy to remember even if you only hear it once.
Countable: coin, use or drop a slogan, and a slogan for a campaign. Tagline is the common American alternative in marketing. Political slogans are chanted rather than printed, which is the other main use of the word.
market researchneutral /ˈmɑrkɪt riˈsɜrtʃ/ Collecting information about what customers want and need. Synonyms: customer research, consumer study	study of customer wants	Had they done proper market research, they would have known nobody wanted the product.
Never a market research: say a market research study or a piece of market research. You do, carry out or commission it, and the phrase is two words and uncountable. The person who does it is a market researcher.
second-handneutral /ˌsɛkəndˈhænd/ Already used by someone else before being sold again. Synonyms: used	previously owned	She furnished the whole office with second-hand desks to keep costs down.
Used and pre-owned are the usual American alternatives. Hyphenated before a noun, as in second-hand furniture, and often two words after a verb: she bought it second hand. Second-hand information means something heard from someone else.
loyaltyneutral /ˈlɔɪəlti/ The tendency of customers to keep buying from the same company. Synonyms: faithfulness, repeat business	staying with one brand	Customer loyalty is harder to win than it is to lose.
You build, win or lose loyalty, and customer loyalty, brand loyalty and a loyalty card are the frequent frames. The adjective is loyal, and you are loyal to someone or something. The opposite quality is disloyalty.
packagingneutral /ˈpækɪdʒɪŋ/ The materials used to wrap or protect a product for sale. Synonyms: wrapping, containers	wrapping for products	The company redesigned its packaging so that it would use less plastic.
A package is one wrapped parcel while packaging is the material itself, so the two nouns are not interchangeable and packaging has no plural. Recyclable packaging, packaging waste and plastic packaging are the usual pairs. The verb package also means to present something attractively.
word of mouthneutral /ˌwɜrd əv ˈmaʊθ/ Information passed from person to person by talking, especially recommendations. Synonyms: personal recommendation, informal publicity	personal recommendation	The restaurant never advertises; all its customers come through word of mouth.
Words of mouth is always wrong: the phrase never takes a plural and never takes an article. Spread by word of mouth, come through word of mouth. Hyphenated when it modifies a noun, as in word-of-mouth advertising.
negotiationneutral /nəˌgoʊʃiˈeɪʃən/ Formal discussion between people trying to reach an agreement. Synonyms: talks, bargaining	formal bargaining talks	After months of negotiation, the two sides finally reached an agreement.
Often plural for one particular process: the negotiations broke down. Uncountable for the activity, as in after months of negotiation. You enter into, open or break off negotiations, and you negotiate with someone over something.
patentneutral /ˈpætənt/ A legal right that stops others from copying your invention. Synonyms: invention right, exclusive right	legal right over an invention	The startup applied for a patent to protect its invention.
In American speech the first syllable rhymes with cat. You file for, hold or infringe a patent, and it is a patent on or for an invention. Also a verb: they patented the design. Patent pending marks an application not yet granted.
agreementneutral /əˈgrimənt/ A decision or arrangement that two or more people accept. Synonyms: deal	arrangement both accept	Both parties said they were satisfied with the agreement that had been signed.
You reach, sign, honor or break an agreement, and an agreement is with someone on or about something. Uncountable in the phrase in agreement, as in we are in agreement. The same word names the grammar rule about words matching in number.
clauseneutral /klɔz/ A separate part of a legal document or contract. Synonyms: contract provision, term	part of a contract	There is a clause in the contract which allows either side to cancel with 30 days' notice.
Countable: insert, invoke or delete a clause, and a clause in a contract. Named types include a penalty clause, an escape clause and a get-out clause. The same word is a grammatical unit, which is its other common sense.
dealneutral /dil/ An agreement, especially in business, that benefits both sides. Synonyms: agreement,arrangement	business agreement	The deal fell apart at the last minute because neither side would give way.
You strike, cut, close or clinch a deal, and it is a deal with someone on something, never a deal about. A little less formal than agreement, but normal in reporting as well as speech. A good deal also means a bargain.
compromiseneutral /ˈkɑmprəˌmaɪz/ An agreement in which each side accepts less than it wanted. Synonyms: middle ground, give-and-take	middle-ground agreement	In the end they reached a compromise: we lowered the price and they ordered more units.
You reach, make or accept a compromise, and a compromise is between two positions or with someone. The verb compromise on something means give ground, but compromise something else means damage it, as in compromise safety.
proposalneutral /prəˈpoʊzəl/ A formal plan or suggestion offered for others to consider. Synonyms: suggestion,plan	formal suggestion	The proposal was rejected on the grounds that it was too expensive.
You put forward, submit, accept or reject a proposal, and it is a proposal for something or a proposal to do something. The verb is propose, which takes a that-clause: propose that the plan be adopted. It also names an offer of marriage.
disputeneutral /dɪˈspjut/ A serious disagreement, often between companies or workers and employers. Synonyms: disagreement,conflict	serious disagreement	The dispute over payment terms lasted longer than the project itself.
A dispute over or about something, and a dispute between two sides. You settle or resolve one, and a matter can be in dispute. The same word is a verb meaning question or challenge, as in they disputed the figures.
entrepreneurneutral /ˌɑntrəprəˈnɜr/ A person who starts their own business and takes financial risks. Synonyms: business founder, business starter	person who starts businesses	A true entrepreneur sees opportunities where others only see problems.
The ending is spelled -eur and said like nur, with the stress on that last syllable. The adjective is entrepreneurial and the quality entrepreneurship. A serial entrepreneur has founded several companies, while founder names the role in one firm.
startupneutral /ˈstɑrtˌʌp/ A new company, often one with an original idea and fast growth plans. Synonyms: new venture, young company	new fast-growing company	Most startups fail within three years, which is why investors are so careful.
It implies growth ambition, so not every new business is one. A tech startup, an early-stage startup; you found, join or fund one. Written as one word or as start-up, both common in American business writing, but as a verb it stays two words: they started up a company.
business planneutral /ˈbɪznəs ˌplæn/ A written document describing how a new business will make money. Synonyms: company plan, venture proposal	written plan for a business	No bank will lend you money unless you present a convincing business plan.
Two words and countable: write, draw up or present a business plan. Business itself is uncountable when it means commerce, as in do business or go out of business, but countable for a single firm: three small businesses.
innovationneutral /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ The creation of new ideas, products, or ways of doing things. Synonyms: new idea, invention	creating new things	Constant innovation is what keeps a company ahead of its competitors.
Innovation in a field, not of it. Uncountable for the activity, as in innovation drives growth, and countable for a particular new thing: recent innovations in packaging. The verb is innovate and the adjective innovative.
grantneutral /grænt/ Money given by a government or organization that does not need to be paid back. Synonyms: award, subsidy	money given, not repaid	She applied for a government grant, which meant she didn't need a bank loan.
You apply for, receive or be awarded a grant, and it is a grant for a project or a grant of ten thousand dollars. Unlike a loan it is never repaid, which is the whole point of the word. The verb grant means formally give or allow.
venture capitalneutral /ˈvɛntʃər ˈkæpɪtəl/ Money invested in new companies that could grow fast but might fail. Synonyms: startup funding, risk capital	risky funding for startups	Without venture capital, many of today's biggest tech companies would never have existed.
Unlike a loan it buys shares, so there is nothing to repay. Shortened to VC, which also names the investor, as in she is a VC. Two words and uncountable: raise venture capital, a venture capital firm, backed by venture capital.
pitch (business idea)neutral /pɪtʃ/ A short talk designed to persuade investors or customers to support an idea. Synonyms: sales talk, presentation	short persuasive presentation	Her pitch was so convincing that two investors offered her money on the spot.
You make, give or deliver a pitch, and you pitch an idea to someone. A pitch has to persuade, which is what separates it from a presentation that only informs. An elevator pitch is short enough for a brief ride, and the slides are a pitch deck.
inflationneutral /ɪnˈfleɪʃən/ A general rise in prices over time in an economy. Synonyms: rising prices, price increases	general rise in prices	Inflation is rising so fast that wages cannot keep up with prices.
Uncountable, with no plural: inflation rose to four percent, high inflation, curb inflation. The adjective is inflationary. It names the rate of increase, so falling inflation still means prices are rising, only more slowly.
growthneutral /groʊθ/ An increase in the size or value of an economy or business. Synonyms: increase, expansion	increase in size or value	Economic growth slowed down last year, although unemployment kept falling.
Growth in an amount, not growth of it: strong growth, growth in sales, a growth rate of two percent. Uncountable in this sense. It comes from grow, whose past forms are grew and grown.
inventoryneutral /ˈɪnvənˌtɔri/ The complete list or amount of goods a business has. Synonyms: stock	goods a business holds	The warehouse checks its inventory at the end of every month.
American English uses this where British English says stock: hold inventory, count inventory, inventory levels. Uncountable for the goods themselves, but countable for the list, as in take an inventory of the equipment.
recessionneutral /rɪˈsɛʃən/ A period when the economy shrinks and business activity falls. Synonyms: economic slump, downturn	economic shrinking period	During the recession, thousands of businesses were forced to close.
A common shorthand defines one as two quarters of falling output, and it is milder than a depression, which is longer and far more severe. The frames are in a recession, enter or come out of a recession, a deep recession.
gross domestic productneutral /ˌgroʊs dəˈmɛstɪk ˈprɑdəkt/ The total value of goods and services produced by a country in a year. Synonyms: GDP, national output	total national output	Gross domestic product, usually known as GDP, measures everything a country produces.
Almost always shortened to GDP, said as three letters and used with the: the country's GDP grew. GDP per capita divides it by population. The full phrase normally appears only on first mention, with GDP after that.
economyneutral /ɪˈkɑnəmi/ The system of money, trade, and industry of a country or region. Synonyms: financial system, market system	a country's money system	The economy is recovering more slowly than the government had promised.
The adjective economic refers to the economy, while economical means not wasteful, and confusing the two is the usual error. The noun is countable: the German economy, emerging economies. Economy class and economy size use a third sense, meaning cheap.
boomneutral /bum/ A period of sudden economic growth and success. Synonyms: surge, rapid growth	period of fast growth	During the tourism boom, hotels were being built all along the coast.
A housing boom, a boom in exports, during the boom, and also a verb: business is booming. Boom and bust names the cycle of fast growth followed by collapse. A boom is faster and less steady than growth, and it is always talked about as temporary.
downturnneutral /ˈdaʊnˌtɜrn/ A period when the economy or business activity becomes weaker. Synonyms: decline	weakening of business	Analysts warn that a downturn is likely if consumers stop spending.
Milder and vaguer than recession, which is a measured period. The opposite is upturn, and both are written as one word with no hyphen. Frames: a sharp downturn, a downturn in demand, face a downturn.
recoveryneutral /rɪˈkʌvəri/ The process of the economy improving after a difficult period. Synonyms: rebound, upturn	improvement after a slump	The recovery will depend on how quickly people go back to spending.
Countable: a slow recovery, a recovery in sales, signs of recovery. The verb recover needs no object here, as in the economy recovered. The same noun covers getting well after illness and getting something back.
outputneutral /ˈaʊtˌpʊt/ The amount of goods produced by a factory, company, or country. Synonyms: production	amount produced	Factory output has increased despite there being fewer workers.
Uncountable, with no plural: output rose, industrial output, cut output. Stress sits on the first syllable because it is a noun, and the matching verb is rare outside computing. Input is its opposite and behaves the same way.
productivityneutral /ˌproʊdəkˈtɪvəti/ How much is produced compared with the time and money used to produce it. Synonyms: efficiency, output per worker	output per unit of effort	Working longer hours does not necessarily mean higher productivity.
Because it is a ratio, working more hours does not raise it by itself. You raise, boost or improve productivity, and a productivity gain is the usual noun phrase. Productive describes people and meetings, while productivity is only the measure.
standard of livingneutral /ˌstændərd əv ˈlɪvɪŋ/ The level of comfort and wealth that a person or country has. Synonyms: living standards, quality of life	level of comfort and wealth	The standard of living has improved considerably over the past twenty years.
Do not swap in cost of living, which is what things cost. The standard of living rose is the usual frame, singular with the, and living standards is the common plural alternative meaning the same thing.
minimum wageneutral /ˈmɪnəməm ˈweɪdʒ/ The lowest amount of money that employers are legally allowed to pay. Synonyms: lowest legal pay, wage floor	legal lowest pay	The government announced that the minimum wage would rise in January.
A wage is hourly or weekly pay, while a salary is a fixed yearly amount. Earn the minimum wage, raise the minimum wage, singular with the, and it takes a hyphen before a noun, as in a minimum-wage job.
taxneutral /tæks/ Money that people and companies must pay to the government. Synonyms: levy, duty	money paid to government	The new tax on sugary drinks was introduced to improve public health.
A tax on something: a tax on fuel, income tax, tax on profits. Countable for one particular charge, uncountable in pay tax and before tax. Also a verb, tax goods or tax people, and the adjective is taxable.
taxationformal /tækˈseɪʃən/ The system of charging taxes, or the money collected from them. Synonyms: taxes, tax system	the tax system	Taxation is likely to rise whichever party wins the election.
A single charge is a tax and never a taxation, since taxation names the system or the act of taxing. Higher taxation, the burden of taxation, double taxation, with no plural. It belongs to policy and formal writing.
VATneutral /ˌviˌeɪˈti/ A tax added to the price of most goods and services. Synonyms: sales tax, value added tax	tax added to prices	VAT, which stands for value added tax, is already included in the price you see.
Said either as three letters or as one word rhyming with cat, and it stands for value added tax. Used with no article: pay VAT, VAT is included, plus VAT. Not charged in the United States, where sales tax does a similar job.
tax evasionneutral /ˈtæks ɪˈveɪʒən/ The crime of not paying the taxes you owe. Synonyms: tax fraud, tax dodging	illegally not paying tax	He was accused of tax evasion and had to appear in court.
It is a crime, unlike tax avoidance, which means arranging things legally to pay less. Accused of tax evasion, guilty of tax evasion. The verb is evade tax, evade meaning escape something you should face.
viableformal /ˈvaɪəbəl/ Able to work successfully or make money. Synonyms: feasible, workable	workable; able to succeed	The plan is only viable if the bank agrees to extend the loan.
A viable business, a viable alternative, commercially viable, and often after a linking verb: the plan is not viable. The noun is viability. It means able to survive on its own, which is stronger than merely possible.
executiveneutral /ɪgˈzɛkjətɪv/ A senior manager who makes important decisions in a company. Synonyms: manager,director	senior company manager	Senior executives were asked to give up part of their bonuses.
Countable: a senior executive, a marketing executive, the chief executive. Also an adjective in executive decision and executive pay. In American job titles it often marks a rank rather than a department, as in account executive.
stakeneutral /steɪk/ A share or financial interest that you own in a business. Synonyms: shareholding, ownership share	percentage of a company owned	The fund bought a 20 per cent stake in the airline, which surprised analysts.
A stake in a company, given as a percentage: a twenty percent stake. You take, buy, hold or sell one. Also figurative in have a stake in something, meaning an interest in the outcome, while at stake means at risk.
ownershipneutral /ˈoʊnərˌʃɪp/ The state of legally owning something, such as a company. Synonyms: possession, title	state of owning	Ownership of the club passed to an American investor last summer.
Uncountable: ownership of a company, under new ownership, a change of ownership. Public, private and foreign ownership are common. In workplace talk, take ownership of a problem means accept responsibility for it.
acquisitionformal /ˌækwəˈzɪʃən/ The act of one company buying another company. Synonyms: purchase,takeover	purchase of a company	The acquisition of its main rival made the group the largest in Europe.
You make an acquisition, and it is the acquisition of a rival or a string of acquisitions. Mergers and acquisitions is the standard name for the field, and the verb is acquire. It also means gaining a skill, as in language acquisition.
tax-freeneutral /ˌtæksˈfri/ Sold or earned without any tax having to be paid. Synonyms: untaxed, tax-exempt	with no tax charged	Everything you buy at the airport shop is tax-free, which makes it slightly cheaper.
Keeps the hyphen before a noun and after a verb: tax-free shopping, the allowance is tax-free. The -free ending behaves the same way in duty-free and interest-free. Tax-exempt is the more formal legal equivalent.
auditneutral /ˈɔdɪt/ An official examination of a company's financial records. Synonyms: inspection, financial check	official check of accounts	An external audit is carried out every year to check the accounts.
You carry out, conduct or order an audit, and it is an audit of the accounts. Also a verb, since auditors audit a company. An internal audit is done by staff and an external one by an outside firm. The person is an auditor.
strike (by workers)neutral /straɪk/ A period when workers refuse to work in order to demand something. Synonyms: walkout, work stoppage	workers' refusal to work	The strike, which lasted three weeks, cost the airline millions.
You go on strike, be on strike or call a strike, and workers strike over pay. Usually singular with a length attached: a two-day strike. The verb strike has the past forms struck and struck, and its other sense is hit.
loss-makingneutral /ˈlɔsˌmeɪkɪŋ/ Losing money instead of making a profit. Synonyms: unprofitable, running at a loss	losing money	The group finally sold its loss-making television channel to a rival.
Its positive counterpart is profitable rather than profit-making. Used before a noun and hyphenated: a loss-making division, loss-making branches. Rare after a verb, where writers say the unit is losing money instead.
outsourcingneutral /ˈaʊtˌsɔrsɪŋ/ Paying another company to do work instead of doing it yourself. Synonyms: contracting out, subcontracting	paying others to do work	Outsourcing has allowed the company to concentrate on what it does best.
Offshoring is the neighboring term and means moving work abroad, which need not involve another firm at all. The outsourcing of production, an outsourcing deal, and the verb is outsource something to a company.
central bankneutral /ˈsɛntrəl ˈbæŋk/ The national bank that controls a country's money supply and interest rates. Synonyms: national bank, monetary authority	national money authority	The central bank cut interest rates in order to encourage spending.
A commercial bank serves customers, while a central bank serves the state and other banks. Normally with the: the central bank raised rates, though in practice a name replaces it, as with the Federal Reserve.
knock-onneutral /ˈnɑkˌɑn/ Causing other things to happen as an indirect result. Synonyms: indirect, secondary	indirectly caused	The port strike had a knock-on effect on prices across the whole country.
Nearly always in knock-on effect or knock-on consequences, and it stays in front of the noun. Hyphenated in this use, and not used after a linking verb. Ripple effect and domino effect are the common American equivalents.
borrowerneutral /ˈbɑroʊər/ A person or organization that takes money and must pay it back. Synonyms: debtor, loan holder	person who takes a loan	Borrowers whose payments are late are charged an extra fee.
A borrower borrows and a lender lends, and keeping that pair straight is the usual difficulty. You borrow something from someone, never borrow someone something. Frames: a first-time borrower, a borrower's credit record.
creditorneutral /ˈkrɛdɪtər/ A person or company that is owed money by someone else. Synonyms: lender, person owed	one owed money	The creditors agreed to wait six more months provided that the debt was partly paid.
Usually plural in company reporting: creditors were repaid in full, the main creditors agreed. The opposite is a debtor, who owes the money. Related but different is credit, which is the arrangement to pay later.
wealthneutral /wɛlθ/ A large amount of money and valuable possessions. Synonyms: riches, fortune	large amount of money	Most of the country's wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few families.
Uncountable, with no plural: create, accumulate or inherit wealth. A wealth of something means a large supply, as in a wealth of experience. The adjective is wealthy, and wealth is more formal than money in writing.
speculationneutral /ˌspɛkjəˈleɪʃən/ Buying things hoping their price will rise so you can sell at a profit. Synonyms: risky investing, gambling on prices	buying hoping prices rise	Speculation in housing drove prices far beyond what ordinary buyers could afford.
Uncountable: speculation in property, currency speculation. The verb is speculate in or on something and the person is a speculator. The same word also means guessing without evidence, as in speculation about a resignation.
invoiceneutral /ˈɪnvɔɪs/ A document listing goods or services provided and the money owed. Synonyms: bill	bill for goods supplied	Please send us the invoice so that we can pay it before the end of the month.
You issue, send, raise or settle an invoice, and it is an invoice for a sum or from a supplier. Also a verb: invoice the client for the work. A bill is the everyday word, while an invoice is the business document.
accountingneutral /əˈkaʊntɪŋ/ The work of recording and reporting a company's financial information. Synonyms: bookkeeping, financial reporting	recording financial information	She studied accounting because every business needs someone to keep its books in order.
Uncountable: study accounting, an accounting firm, accounting standards. The person is an accountant, and accountancy is the British name for the profession. Account for something means explain it or make up part of a total.
overheadsneutral /ˈoʊvərˌhɛdz/ Regular costs of running a business, such as rent and electricity. Synonyms: running costs, fixed costs	regular running costs	By moving to a smaller office, they cut their overheads in half.
These are the costs that continue whether or not anything is sold. You cut, reduce or cover overheads, plural in this sense, though American business writing more often uses overhead in the singular and uncountable.
welfareneutral /ˈwɛlˌfɛr/ Money and help a government gives to people in need. Synonyms: benefits, social support	government help for the needy	Spending on welfare rises whenever unemployment goes up.
Uncountable: on welfare, welfare payments, welfare spending. In American use it points to state benefits, while the older sense of general wellbeing survives in phrases such as the welfare of the children.
roughlyneutral /ˈrʌfli/ Approximately; not exactly. Synonyms: about, around	approximately	The two firms are roughly the same size, although their profits differ greatly.
It goes directly in front of the number or amount it softens: roughly half, roughly two hundred, roughly the same size. Around and about do the same work. The other sense is with force or without care, as in handled roughly.
publicityneutral /pəˈblɪsəti/ Public attention given to someone or something by the media. Synonyms: media attention, exposure	public and media attention	The scandal brought the firm more publicity than any campaign could have done.
The word itself is neutral until it is described, which is why good, bad and unwanted publicity are all common. You attract, generate or avoid it, and there is no plural. A publicity stunt is done purely to get attention.
warrantyneutral /ˈwɔrənti/ A written promise to repair or replace a product if it breaks. Synonyms: guarantee	repair promise on a product	The washing machine is still under warranty, so the repair should not cost you anything.
A warranty covers a specific product while a guarantee is the broader promise, though shops often use the two words interchangeably. Frames: a two-year warranty, still under warranty, the warranty has expired.
complaintneutral /kəmˈpleɪnt/ A statement saying that you are unhappy about a product or service. Synonyms: grievance, objection	statement of dissatisfaction	If you wish to make a complaint, put it in writing to the manager.
Countable: make, file or lodge a complaint, and a complaint about something or against someone. The verb is complain about something, never complain something. It also names a medical problem, as in a chest complaint.
customer serviceneutral /ˈkʌstəmər ˈsɜrvəs/ The part of a company that helps customers with questions and problems. Synonyms: customer support, after-sales help	help given to buyers	Customer service will contact you as soon as the parcel has been sent.
Service here is the help itself, not one act of helping, and the phrase takes singular agreement even when it means a whole department. Good customer service, contact customer service, a customer service rep.
e-commerceneutral /ˈiˌkɑmərs/ Buying and selling goods and services on the internet. Synonyms: online retail, internet trade	online buying and selling	E-commerce has grown so much that some brands no longer have physical shops.
Written with a lowercase e and a hyphen, capitalized only when it opens a sentence. Uncountable: an e-commerce platform, growth in e-commerce. The e stands for electronic, as it does in e-mail and e-learning.
premisesneutral /ˈprɛməsəz/ The building and land that a business uses. Synonyms: site, business property	a business's building and land	The premises, which had been empty for years, were turned into a restaurant.
Plural in form with plural agreement, even though it names a single site: the premises were searched. There is no singular a premise in this sense, since a premise is a step in an argument. Common in on the premises.
propertyneutral /ˈprɑpərti/ Land and buildings, especially considered as things to buy and sell. Synonyms: real estate	land and buildings	Property in the city center has become too expensive for most local buyers.
Real estate is the usual American term for the market sense, where property is uncountable: invest in property, property prices, the property market. Countable for a single building, as in they own three properties.
quarter (of the year)neutral /ˈkwɔrtər/ A period of three months used for reporting business results. Synonyms: three-month period, reporting period	three-month reporting period	Profits for the first quarter were higher than analysts had predicted.
Numbered Q1 through Q4 and used with the: in the first quarter, quarter-on-quarter growth. The adjective is quarterly, as in quarterly results. Countable, and the same word means a fourth of anything.
bidneutral /bɪd/ An offer to pay a particular amount of money for something. Synonyms: offer	offer of a price	Their bid was turned down because it was far too low.
You make, submit, raise or withdraw a bid, and it is a bid for something or a bid of a sum. The verb keeps the same form in the past, as in he bid too little. A takeover bid is an offer for a whole company.
dramaticallyneutral /drəˈmætɪkli/ Suddenly and by a very large amount. Synonyms: sharply, greatly	strikingly; hugely	Production costs fell dramatically once the new machinery had been installed.
It pairs with verbs of change: rise, fall, improve or drop dramatically. It measures size rather than drama, so a dramatic fall is simply a large one. Sharply and steeply are close alternatives, and the adjective is dramatic.
penaltyneutral /ˈpɛnəlti/ A punishment, often money, for breaking a rule or agreement. Synonyms: fine	punishment; fine	The contract includes a penalty for every week the work is delayed.
A penalty for something, or a penalty of a sum; you impose, face or pay one. A penalty clause fixes the amount in advance. In sport it is a punishment given against a team, which is the other everyday sense of the word.
to overchargeneutral /ˌoʊvərˈtʃɑrdʒ/ To ask someone for too much money for something. Synonyms: charge too much, overprice	charge too much	Check every invoice carefully, as some suppliers overcharge customers who don't know the usual prices.
Overcharge someone for something, or overcharge by an amount: they overcharged us by ten dollars. It usually hints at dishonesty rather than a simple mistake. The opposite is undercharge, and the same verb covers putting too much power into a battery.
lawsuitneutral /ˈlɔˌsut/ A legal case brought to a court by one party against another. Synonyms: legal action, court case	legal case in court	The lawsuit could cost the firm millions if the court rules against it.
You file, bring, settle or drop a lawsuit, and it is a lawsuit against someone or over something. The people involved are parties and the matching verb is sue. American legal writing often shortens it to suit.
crowdfundingneutral /ˈkraʊdˌfʌndɪŋ/ Getting money for a project from many people, usually online. Synonyms: public funding, mass fundraising	raising money from many people	Thanks to crowdfunding, the game raised more money in a week than its creators had hoped for.
Contributors are called backers rather than investors, since they usually receive a product instead of shares. Launch a crowdfunding campaign, raise money through crowdfunding, and the verb is crowdfund a project.
to overspendneutral /ˌoʊvərˈspɛnd/ To spend more money than you planned or can afford. Synonyms: spend too much, exceed the budget	spend too much	Many departments overspend at the end of the year so that their budget is not cut.
Overspend on something, or overspend by an amount: they overspent by a million. It also works with no object, as in the department overspent again. Past forms are overspent and overspent. The noun overspend names the excess itself.
prototypeneutral /ˈproʊtəˌtaɪp/ The first model of a product, made to test the design. Synonyms: first model, trial version	first test model	The prototype was tested for months before the product went on sale.
You build, test or scrap a prototype, and it is a prototype of a product or a prototype for a design. At the prototype stage means before production begins, so the word itself signals that nothing has been made in quantity yet.
bureaucracyneutral /bjʊˈrɑkrəsi/ Complicated official rules and processes that slow things down. Synonyms: red tape, official procedure	excessive official procedure	Small firms complain that bureaucracy takes up time which could be spent serving customers.
Disapproving in this sense, so cutting bureaucracy is always presented as good news. Red tape is the everyday equivalent. Uncountable when it means procedure, but countable for a particular organization: government bureaucracies.
non-profitneutral /ˌnɑnˈprɑfɪt/ Existing to help people, not to make money. Synonyms: not-for-profit, charitable	not aiming for profit	She left banking to run a non-profit organization which trains young entrepreneurs.
Written non-profit or nonprofit, both standard in American writing, and it doubles as a noun: she runs a nonprofit. A non-profit organization is sometimes shortened to NPO. Not-for-profit means the same and sounds a little more formal.
povertyneutral /ˈpɑvərti/ The state of being very poor. Synonyms: hardship, need	state of being poor	Millions were lifted out of poverty as the economy grew.
Uncountable, with no plural: live in poverty, lift people out of poverty, extreme poverty. The poverty line is the income below which people count as poor. There is no adjective from it, so the adjective you need is poor.
prosperityformal /prɑˈspɛrəti/ The state of being successful and having a lot of money. Synonyms: wealth	wealth and success	The region owes its prosperity to tourism and trade.
It suggests broad and lasting comfort, so one good year is not prosperity. You bring, share or enjoy it, and there is no plural: a period of prosperity. The adjective prosperous describes a town, a business or a person.
slumpneutral /slʌmp/ A sudden large fall in sales, prices, or economic activity. Synonyms: fall,drop	sudden sharp fall	The slump in car sales has forced several factories to shorten their working week.
A slump in sales or prices: the slump lasted two years. Also a verb, as in sales slumped by a third. It is sharper and more sudden than a downturn, and unlike a recession it can hit a single product or market rather than a whole economy.
outlookneutral /ˈaʊtˌlʊk/ What is expected to happen in the future. Synonyms: prospects	expected future situation	The economic outlook remains uncertain, with prices still rising.
The outlook for the economy, a gloomy outlook, a brighter outlook: the preposition is for and the noun is nearly always singular with the. It also names a person's general attitude, as in a positive outlook.
figuresneutral /ˈfɪgjərz/ Numbers that give information, especially about business results. Synonyms: numbers,statistics	reported numbers	The latest figures suggest that the economy is doing better than expected.
Plural with plural agreement in this sense: the figures show, the latest figures suggest. A figure in the singular is one number or a person's shape. Sales figures, unemployment figures and in round figures are common.
consumptionneutral /kənˈsʌmpʃən/ The amount of goods, services, or energy that people use. Synonyms: use, spending	amount used	Fuel consumption fell sharply once prices had doubled.
Uncountable: fuel consumption, energy consumption, a fall in consumption. In economics it names household spending as a whole. The verb consume covers using something up and also eating or drinking it.
fraudneutral /frɔd/ The crime of deceiving people or organizations to get money. Synonyms: deception, financial crime	crime of deceiving for money	The manager was arrested for fraud after false invoices were found.
Uncountable for the crime: commit fraud, be charged with fraud, insurance fraud. Countable for a particular scheme or a fake person, as in he turned out to be a fraud. The adjective is fraudulent and the doer a fraudster.
briberyneutral /ˈbraɪbəri/ The crime of giving money to someone so they act dishonestly. Synonyms: paying bribes, graft	crime of paying for favors	The company was fined millions for bribery in several foreign contracts.
Bribery names the practice, so one payment is a bribe rather than a bribery, and the noun has no plural. The verb is bribe someone to do something. Convicted of bribery and bribery and corruption are the usual frames.
corruptionneutral /kəˈrʌpʃən/ Dishonest behavior by people in power, especially involving money. Synonyms: dishonesty, graft	dishonest use of power	Corruption makes it harder for honest firms to win public contracts.
Uncountable: root out, tackle or expose corruption, widespread corruption. Always disapproving. The adjective corrupt describes an official or a system, and the verb corrupt also means spoil, as when a computer file is corrupted.
to launchneutral /lɔntʃ/ To make a new product available to the public for the first time. Synonyms: release, roll out	release a new product	The product will be launched in March unless testing reveals further problems.
Launch a product, a campaign, a brand or an investigation, and launch something onto the market. Often passive: the phone was launched in March. The noun launch is countable, as in at the launch. It also means send up a rocket.
to investneutral /ɪnˈvɛst/ To put money into something hoping to make a profit. Synonyms: put money in, back	put money in for profit	If I had invested in that startup, I would be rich by now.
Invest in something, or invest an amount in something, but never invest to. Also used of effort and time: invest years in a project. The noun is investment and the person an investor. Heavily and wisely are the usual adverbs.
to negotiateneutral /nɪˈgoʊʃiˌeɪt/ To discuss something formally in order to reach an agreement. Synonyms: bargain, discuss	discuss to reach agreement	They refused to negotiate until the strike had been called off.
Negotiate with someone over or about something, and negotiate a deal, a price or a contract. With no object it simply means be in talks, as in they refuse to negotiate. It also means get past an obstacle: negotiate a narrow bend.
to exportneutral /ɪkˈspɔrt/ To send goods to another country to be sold there. Synonyms: sell abroad, ship out	send goods abroad to sell	Most of the olive oil produced here is exported to northern Europe.
Export something to a country, and the noun exports is usually plural: exports rose. The verb stresses the second syllable while the noun stresses the first, which is the pattern worth remembering. The company is an exporter.
to importneutral /ɪmˈpɔrt/ To bring goods into a country from abroad to sell them. Synonyms: bring in, buy from abroad	bring in goods from abroad	The parts are imported from Asia and then assembled locally.
Import something from a country. As with export, the verb stresses the second syllable and the noun the first: imports have risen. Often passive in business writing, as in the parts are imported. Its opposite is export.
to foundneutral /faʊnd/ To start a company or organization. Synonyms: establish,set up	start a company	The company was founded in 1985 by two engineering students.
Most often passive with a date: the firm was founded in 1985. Past forms are founded and founded, and they are not the past of find, which is the usual trap. The person is a founder and the act is the founding.
to sueneutral /su/ To take legal action against someone to get money from them. Synonyms: take to court, bring a claim	take to court for money	The firm threatened to sue us unless the payment was made immediately.
Sue someone for something: sue a company for damages, sue over a broken contract. Threaten to sue is very common. Related nouns are lawsuit and, in legal writing, suit. It is one syllable, said like soo.
to expandneutral /ɪkˈspænd/ To become bigger or make a business bigger. Synonyms: grow	grow bigger	The chain plans to expand into France, where it already has two warehouses.
Expand into a country or a market, and expand a business, a range or a factory. It works with or without an object: the company expanded, they expanded the plant. The noun is expansion, and expand to a country is wrong.
to recruitneutral /rɪˈkrut/ To find new people to work for a company. Synonyms: hire, take on	hire new staff	Fifty engineers will be recruited over the next two years as the plant grows.
Recruit someone for a role, or recruit staff to do something, and often passive: fifty engineers will be recruited. The nouns are recruitment for the process and a recruit for the newly hired person. The hirer is a recruiter.
to oweneutral /oʊ/ To have to pay money back to someone. Synonyms: be in debt for, be liable for	have to pay back	The club owes its creditors more than it earns in a whole season.
Owe someone something, or owe something to someone: they owe the bank a million. Also used of gratitude and causes, as in owe your success to hard work. Not used in the progressive, so I am owing him money is wrong.
to chargeneutral /tʃɑrdʒ/ To ask an amount of money for goods or a service. Synonyms: ask a price, bill	ask a price	How much do you charge for shipping to the islands?
Charge someone for something, and charge an amount for it: they charge ten dollars for delivery. Charge someone with a crime is a separate legal sense and charge a battery a third. The noun charge is the amount asked.
to manufactureneutral /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃər/ To produce goods in large quantities, usually in a factory. Synonyms: produce,make	produce goods in factories	The components are no longer manufactured in Europe because labor costs are lower elsewhere.
Often passive: the parts are manufactured abroad. It suits goods made in quantity, so a village baker does not manufacture bread. The nouns are manufacturing for the activity and manufacturer for the company. It also means invent falsely.
to sponsorneutral /ˈspɑnsər/ To pay money to support an event or team, usually for advertising. Synonyms: fund, back	pay to support for publicity	A local bank sponsors the city marathon every year.
Sponsor an event, a team or a person, and it is often passive: the race is sponsored by a bank. The nouns are a sponsor for the payer and sponsorship for the arrangement. In politics it means formally put forward a bill.
to overtakeneutral /ˌoʊvərˈteɪk/ To become bigger or more successful than someone else. Synonyms: pass, surpass	become bigger than	Online sales have overtaken shop sales for the first time in the company's history.
No than after it: you write online sales overtook shop sales, with a plain object. Past forms are overtook and overtaken. British use adds the sense of passing a car on the road, where American English simply says pass.
to take overneutral /ˌteɪk ˈoʊvər/ To get control of a company by buying most of its shares. Synonyms: assume control, take charge	gain control of a company	The bank was taken over by a foreign group during the crisis.
Separable, and a pronoun must sit in the middle: they took it over. Often passive, as in the bank was taken over. Take over from someone means replace that person in a job. The matching noun is one word, a takeover.
to go bankruptneutral /ˌgoʊ ˈbæŋkrəpt/ To be unable to pay your debts and stop doing business. Synonyms: fail financially, collapse	fail to pay debts	If the airline goes bankrupt, thousands of passengers will lose their money.
Go bankrupt, not become or get bankrupt, and go is the part that inflects: the firm went bankrupt. American writing often prefers file for bankruptcy, which names the legal step rather than the state. The noun is bankruptcy.
to break evenneutral /ˌbreɪk ˈivən/ To earn just enough money to cover your costs. Synonyms: cover costs, make neither profit nor loss	cover costs exactly	The restaurant expects to break even in its second year and to make money in its third.
It means neither profit nor loss, not a small profit. No object follows: break even, expect to break even, with past forms broke even and broken even. The noun form is hyphenated, as in the break-even point.
to cut costsneutral /ˌkʌt ˈkɔsts/ To reduce the amount of money a business spends. Synonyms: reduce spending, economize	reduce spending	To cut costs, the airline stopped serving free meals on short flights.
Cut is the verb that pairs with costs in business speech, ahead of lower or decrease. Cut keeps the same form in the past: they cut costs last year. The matching noun phrase is hyphenated, as in a cost-cutting plan.
to run a businessneutral /ˈrʌn ə ˈbɪznəs/ To manage and be responsible for a business. Synonyms: manage a company	manage a business	Running a business is much harder than working for someone else, she admits.
Run is the everyday verb for managing: run a company, run a department, run a hotel. Its past forms are ran and run. The -ing form works as a subject, as in running a business is hard. Manage is the more formal alternative.
to strike a dealneutral /ˌstraɪk ə ˈdil/ To reach an agreement, especially in business. Synonyms: reach an agreement, close a deal	reach an agreement	The two companies struck a deal under which each would sell the other's products.
You strike a deal with someone on or over something, and strike is the part that inflects: they struck a deal last week. Cut a deal and close a deal are near equivalents, with cut a deal the most informal.
to transferneutral /trænsˈfɜr/ To move money from one account or person to another. Synonyms: move, send	move money or things	The money was transferred to the wrong account because of a typing error.
Transfer money to an account, or transfer something from one place to another. The verb stresses the second syllable while the noun usually stresses the first, as in a bank transfer. The r doubles: transferred, transferring.
to downsizeneutral /ˈdaʊnˌsaɪz/ To make a company smaller by reducing the number of employees. Synonyms: cut staff, reduce headcount	cut staff numbers	The firm downsized during the recession, cutting its workforce by a quarter.
It is a softer way of saying cut jobs, so readers hear it as management language. It works with or without an object: the firm downsized, they downsized the workforce. The noun is downsizing.
to relocateneutral /ˌriloʊˈkeɪt/ To move a business or its activities to a different place. Synonyms: move, transfer	move to another place	Production will be relocated to Portugal, where costs are considerably lower.
Relocate to a place, and relocate something or someone there: production was relocated to Portugal. It also works with no object, as in the family relocated. The noun is relocation, and move is the plainer everyday verb.
to diversifyneutral /dəˈvɜrsəˌfaɪ/ To start making new products or offering new services to reduce risk. Synonyms: branch out, broaden	add new products	The company diversified into clothing so that it would not depend on one product.
Diversify into something: the group diversified into clothing. It also takes an object, as in diversify your product range. The noun is diversification. The point of the word is spreading risk, not simply growing bigger.
to bail outneutral /ˌbeɪl ˈaʊt/ To give money to save a company or bank from failing. Synonyms: rescue, prop up	rescue with money	The government had to bail out the banks with taxpayers' money.
Separable, with a pronoun in the middle: the state bailed them out. The noun is one word, a bailout. Often disapproving when public money is involved. It also means scoop water out of a boat, which is where the image comes from.
to privatizeneutral /ˈpraɪvəˌtaɪz/ To sell a government-owned company to private owners. Synonyms: sell off, transfer to private owners	sell to private owners	The railways were privatized in the 1990s, which many passengers still regret.
Spelled with an s in British writing and as privatize in American writing, with no difference in sound. Usually passive: the railways were privatized. The noun is privatization and the opposite verb is nationalize.
to boostneutral /bust/ To increase or improve something, such as sales or the economy. Synonyms: increase,strengthen	increase or improve	The fall in the pound boosted exports, as British goods became cheaper abroad.
Boost sales, exports, confidence or morale, and boost something by an amount. It only ever means push upward, so it cannot describe a fall. The noun boost is countable: a boost to the economy, give sales a boost.
to shrinkneutral /ʃrɪŋk/ To become smaller in size or amount. Synonyms: contract, get smaller	become smaller	The economy shrank for two quarters in a row, which officially means a recession.
Past forms are shrank and shrunk, which is the hard part: the economy shrank last year. Usually with no object in business writing, though you can shrink a workforce. Also used of clothes in a wash, and the noun is shrinkage.
to declineneutral /dɪˈklaɪn/ To become smaller, weaker, or less over time. Synonyms: fall,decrease	fall gradually	Sales of printed newspapers have been declining steadily for twenty years.
Decline by an amount, or decline from one figure to another: sales have been declining, usually with no object and often in the continuous. A separate sense is politely refuse, as in decline an invitation. The noun is a decline in something.
to place an orderneutral /ˌpleɪs ən ˈɔrdər/ To formally ask a company to supply goods. Synonyms: order, submit an order	formally order goods	We placed an order for two hundred chairs, which should arrive within a fortnight.
Place is the verb that fits order in business writing, not make or do. Place an order for something, or with a supplier. The passive is common: an order was placed. On order means ordered but not yet delivered.
to go underinformal /ˌgoʊ ˈʌndər/ To fail as a business and stop operating. Synonyms: fail,collapse	fail and close	Many family shops went under when the shopping center opened.
No object, and go is the part that inflects: the shop went under. More informal than go bankrupt or fail, and at home in speech and headlines alike. The image comes from the literal sense of sinking under water.
to pay offneutral /ˌpeɪ ˈɔf/ To finish paying a debt; also, to bring a good result. Synonyms: clear a debt, bring results	finish paying; succeed	It took them ten years to pay off the loan, but the investment finally paid off.
In the debt sense it is separable: pay off the loan, pay it off. In the success sense it takes no object and often ends a clause, as in the risk paid off. The noun payoff is one word and means a reward or, less kindly, a bribe.
to scale upneutral /ˌskeɪl ˈʌp/ To increase the size or amount of something, especially a business activity. Synonyms: expand,grow	increase the size of	Once the product had proved successful, the founders decided to scale up production.
Separable: scale up production, scale it up. Common in startup and manufacturing talk, where it means grow while keeping quality steady. The opposites are scale down and scale back, and the noun is a scale-up.
to undercutneutral /ˌʌndərˈkʌt/ To sell goods or services more cheaply than a competitor. Synonyms: sell cheaper than, underprice	sell cheaper than rivals	Local shops complain that they are constantly being undercut by online giants.
Undercut a rival, or undercut someone by a percentage, and often passive: we are being undercut. Past forms are undercut and undercut, unchanged. A second sense is weaken, as in undercut an argument or undercut his authority.
to subsidizeneutral /ˈsʌbsəˌdaɪz/ To pay part of the cost of something so that it is cheaper for people. Synonyms: help pay for, support financially	pay part of the cost	Public transport is heavily subsidized by the government so that everyone can afford it.
Spelled with an s in British writing and as subsidize in American writing. Usually passive: transport is heavily subsidized. Heavily is the standard adverb. The noun is a subsidy, plural subsidies, and it is countable.
to deregulateformal /diˈrɛgjəˌleɪt/ To remove government rules and controls from a business or industry. Synonyms: free from rules, liberalize	remove official rules	After the airline industry was deregulated, ticket prices fell dramatically.
It takes an industry or a market as its object and is usually passive: the sector was deregulated. The noun is deregulation and the opposite verb is regulate. It means removing rules by decision, not breaking them.
to reimburseformal /ˌriɪmˈbɜrs/ To pay money back to someone who has spent it for you. Synonyms: repay,pay back	pay back what was spent	Employees are reimbursed within a week as long as they submit the original receipts.
Reimburse someone for something, or reimburse an amount, and usually passive: staff are reimbursed for travel. The noun is reimbursement. It returns money already spent, so it is not the same as paying someone in advance.
to withdrawneutral /wɪðˈdrɔ/ To take money out of a bank account. Synonyms: take out	take money out	She withdrew all her savings so that she could invest them in the business.
Withdraw money from an account. Past forms are withdrew and withdrawn, and the noun is a withdrawal. It also means pull out of something, as in withdraw from a contest, or take back a statement or an offer.
to deductneutral /dɪˈdʌkt/ To take an amount of money away from a total. Synonyms: subtract	subtract an amount	Income tax is deducted from your salary before you ever see the money.
Deduct something from a total: tax is deducted from your salary. The noun is a deduction and the adjective deductible, as in tax-deductible. Deduce looks similar but means work something out by reasoning.
to haggleneutral /ˈhægəl/ To argue about a price until you agree on it. Synonyms: bargain	bargain over a price	If you haggle a little, the wholesaler might give you a better price.
Haggle over or about a price, and haggle with someone. No object follows directly, so haggle the price is wrong. It suits markets and small deals, while formal business talks are negotiations rather than haggling.
to rebrandneutral /ˌriˈbrænd/ To change the name or image of a company or product. Synonyms: rename, relaunch	change a company's image	The company was rebranded after the scandal so that customers would forget its past.
Rebrand a company or a product, often passive: the chain was rebranded. It also works with no object, as in the firm rebranded last year. The noun is a rebrand or a rebranding, and both are countable.
to outperformneutral /ˌaʊtpərˈfɔrm/ To do better or achieve more than someone or something else. Synonyms: beat	do better than	Small firms have consistently outperformed large corporations over the last five years.
No than after it: small firms outperformed large ones, with a plain object. Common in finance about shares, funds and whole markets. The opposite is underperform, and both are written as one word with no hyphen.
to plummetneutral /ˈplʌmɪt/ To fall very quickly and suddenly in value or amount. Synonyms: drop	fall very fast	Shares in the company plummeted when the fraud was discovered.
No object, and it describes falls only, never rises: shares plummeted, prices plummeted. Plummet to a level or by an amount. Much stronger than fall or drop, and a favorite in headlines. The t doubles: plummeted.
to surgeneutral /sɜrdʒ/ To increase suddenly and strongly. Synonyms: soar	rise suddenly and strongly	Demand for housing has surged since interest rates were cut.
No object: demand surged, prices surged by a fifth. It works upward only, so it is the mirror image of plummet. The noun is a surge in something. It also describes a crowd pushing forward or a rush of electricity.
to reboundneutral /rɪˈbaʊnd/ To increase or improve again after falling. Synonyms: recover	recover after falling	Economists expect the economy to rebound once inflation is under control.
No object: the economy rebounded, shares rebounded from a low. It needs an earlier fall, so nothing can rebound that has not dropped first. The noun is a rebound, and on the rebound means in recovery.
to stagnateneutral /ˈstægˌneɪt/ To stop growing or developing. Synonyms: stop growing, go flat	stop growing	Wages have stagnated for a decade, which explains why so many people feel poorer.
No object: wages stagnated, the market has stagnated. The noun is stagnation and the adjective stagnant, used of standing water as well as economies. It implies no movement at all, which is worse than slow growth.
to devalueneutral /diˈvælju/ To reduce the value of a country's money. Synonyms: lower in value, mark down	lower a currency's value	The government devalued the currency in order to make exports cheaper.
Devalue a currency, and often passive: the currency was devalued. The noun is devaluation. Used of people or work it means treat as worth less, as in devalue their contribution, which is the figurative sense.
to defaultneutral /dɪˈfɔlt/ To fail to pay money that you owe at the right time. Synonyms: miss payments, fail to pay	fail to pay on time	If the company defaults on its loans, the banks will seize its assets.
Default on a loan or on payments, and the on is required. The noun default names the failure itself. In computing it means the setting used unless changed, and by default means without anyone actively choosing.
to branch outneutral /ˌbræntʃ ˈaʊt/ To start doing a new activity in addition to your usual business. Synonyms: diversify	start a new activity	The bakery has branched out into online delivery, which now brings in half its revenue.
Branch out into something: branch out into delivery. It takes no direct object, so branch out the business is wrong. The image is a growing tree, and diversify is the more formal business equivalent.
to cut cornersneutral /ˌkʌt ˈkɔrnərz/ To do something cheaply or quickly in a way that lowers quality. Synonyms: skimp, do a rushed job	skimp to save time or money	If builders cut corners, the problems appear years later.
A fixed plural phrase, always corners and never a corner. No direct object follows, though you can cut corners on safety. Always disapproving, since it implies quality was sacrificed. Cut keeps its form in the past.
competitiveneutral /kəmˈpɛtətɪv/ As good as or better than others; wanting to win. Synonyms: well-priced, attractively priced	able to compete well	Our prices need to be more competitive if we want to survive in this market.
Of prices it means low enough to win business, as in competitive rates; of people it means eager to win. A competitive market is simply one with strong rivalry. The noun is competitiveness and the adverb competitively.
cost-effectiveneutral /ˌkɔst ɪˈfɛktɪv/ Giving good value compared with the money spent. Synonyms: economical, efficient	good value for the money	Sending the goods by train turned out to be the most cost-effective option.
It weighs value against spending, so the cheapest choice is not automatically the most cost-effective one. Hyphenated in both positions: a cost-effective option, the plan is cost-effective.
efficientneutral /ɪˈfɪʃənt/ Working well without wasting time, money, or energy. Synonyms: productive, economical	working without waste	Machines are efficient at repetitive tasks, whereas people are better at solving problems.
Efficient at doing something, and highly is the usual intensifier. The adverb is efficiently and the noun efficiency. Effective means it achieves the aim, while efficient means it does so without waste, and that is the pair learners mix up.
lucrativeformal /ˈlukrətɪv/ Producing a lot of money or profit. Synonyms: profitable, well-paid	very profitable	Consulting proved so lucrative that he never returned to teaching.
A lucrative contract, a lucrative market, highly lucrative. It describes the activity or the deal rather than the person, so a lucrative businessman is wrong. At home in writing and news, a little bookish in casual speech.
affordableneutral /əˈfɔrdəbəl/ Cheap enough for most people to be able to buy. Synonyms: reasonably priced, within reach	cheap enough to buy	The council promised to build affordable housing for young families.
Affordable housing, affordable prices, and affordable for someone. It measures against what buyers can pay, not against quality. The verb afford needs can or could, so we cannot afford it, never we afford it.
overpricedneutral /ˌoʊvərˈpraɪst/ Costing more than it is really worth. Synonyms: too expensive, poor value	costing too much	The shares were clearly overpriced, yet people kept buying them.
It is a judgment about value rather than a statement of a high price, so an expensive item need not be overpriced. The opposite is underpriced. Used before a noun or after a verb: an overpriced hotel, the shares were overpriced.
state-ownedneutral /ˌsteɪt ˈoʊnd/ Owned by the government rather than by private companies. Synonyms: public	owned by the government	The airline, which used to be state-owned, was sold to private investors.
State here means the national government, not a region, and publicly owned means the same thing. Hyphenated and used before a noun or after a verb: a state-owned airline, the firm was state-owned.
economicalneutral /ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪkəl/ Using little money or fuel; not wasteful. Synonyms: thrifty, sparing	not wasteful	The smaller van is more economical to run, although it carries less.
Economical with fuel, money or words, and economical to run. It describes a thing or a habit, while economic without the ending refers to the economy, and that pair is the classic mix-up. The adverb economically serves both.
corporateneutral /ˈkɔrpərɪt/ Relating to large companies or business in general. Synonyms: business, company	relating to big companies	She left her corporate job to set up a bakery, which she has never regretted.
Always before a noun in this sense: corporate culture, corporate tax, a corporate lawyer. It has no comparative, so more corporate sounds odd except as a joke. It can carry a faint suggestion of being impersonal or dull.
financialneutral /fəˈnænʃəl/ Relating to money or how money is managed. Synonyms: money-related, monetary	relating to money	The company found itself in financial difficulty after losing its biggest client.
Financial difficulty, financial services, the financial year. The adverb financially usually follows the verb, as in the firm suffered financially. Related nouns are finance for the activity and finances for someone's money situation.
faultyneutral /ˈfɔlti/ Not working correctly because of a defect. Synonyms: defective,broken	not working properly	Customers who receive faulty goods are entitled to a full refund.
Faulty goods, a faulty part, and after a verb: the switch is faulty. The noun is a fault, and at fault means responsible for a problem. Defective is the more formal equivalent used in warranties and legal writing.
ethicalneutral /ˈɛθɪkəl/ Morally correct and fair in the way business is done. Synonyms: moral, principled	morally right	Many customers would rather pay more than buy from a company that is not ethical.
Ethical business, ethical standards, ethically sourced. The noun ethics takes singular agreement when it means the field of study and plural agreement when it means someone's principles. The opposite is unethical.
volatileneutral /ˈvɑlətəl/ Likely to change suddenly and unexpectedly, especially by getting worse. Synonyms: unstable	likely to change suddenly	The stock market has been so volatile lately that many small investors have pulled out.
A volatile market, volatile prices, and after a verb: trading has been volatile. American speech ends it with an unstressed -tul rather than rhyming with mile. The noun is volatility, and in chemistry it means easily evaporating.
scarceneutral /skɛrs/ Existing in very small amounts; not enough. Synonyms: limited	in short supply	When affordable housing is scarce, rents are bound to rise.
Usually after a verb: water is scarce, jobs became scarce. The noun is scarcity, but the adverb scarcely means hardly, which is a different idea. Rare describes something unusual, while scarce describes something insufficient.
boomingneutral /ˈbumɪŋ/ Growing or succeeding very quickly. Synonyms: thriving	growing very fast	The tourist sector is booming, which has pushed local rents up sharply.
It normally describes markets, towns and trade rather than people, and it comes from the verb boom: a booming sector, business is booming. The same word describes a deep loud voice.
sluggishneutral /ˈslʌgɪʃ/ Moving or developing more slowly than usual. Synonyms: slow,weak	slower than usual	Growth has been sluggish since the crisis, despite record low interest rates.
Sluggish growth, a sluggish market, and after a verb: sales have been sluggish. It carries disappointment, so it is never praise. Also used of a person feeling slow and heavy, or of a computer running badly.
stableneutral /ˈsteɪbəl/ Not likely to change or move suddenly. Synonyms: steady	not changing suddenly	Prices have remained stable this year even though wages have risen.
Prices remain stable, a stable currency, politically stable. The noun is stability and the verb stabilize. Steady suggests continuing movement in one direction, while stable suggests no movement at all.
riskyneutral /ˈrɪski/ Involving the possibility of loss, danger, or failure. Synonyms: dangerous	involving possible loss	Putting all your money into one company is far riskier than spreading it across several.
A risky investment, and risky to do something. Comparative riskier, superlative riskiest. Risky describes the action, while at risk describes whatever could be harmed. The noun is risk, and take a risk is the usual pairing.
nationwideneutral /ˌneɪʃənˈwaɪd/ Happening or existing in every part of a country. Synonyms: countrywide, national	across the whole country	The chain has just launched a nationwide advertising campaign to win back customers.
National describes what belongs to a nation, while nationwide stresses coverage of every part of it. It works as both adjective and adverb, written as one word with no hyphen: a nationwide campaign, the chain expanded nationwide.
reputableneutral /ˈrɛpjətəbəl/ Known to be good, honest, and trusted by people. Synonyms: trustworthy	trusted and respected	Only buy from reputable suppliers, however cheap the alternative may seem.
Stress falls on the first syllable, not on the middle one. Used before a noun: a reputable supplier, a reputable dealer, a reputable source. The noun is reputation and the opposite is disreputable. It says a firm is trusted, not that it is big.
cutting-edgeneutral /ˌkʌtɪŋ ˈɛdʒ/ Extremely modern and advanced. Synonyms: advanced,innovative	very advanced	The firm owes its success to cutting-edge technology that none of its rivals can copy.
Hyphenated before a noun: cutting-edge technology, cutting-edge research. After a verb it becomes two words with at the: the design is at the cutting edge. The noun phrase names the most advanced point of a field.
upmarketneutral /ˌʌpˈmɑrkɪt/ Designed for people who have money and want high quality. Synonyms: exclusive	aimed at wealthy buyers	The brand has gone upmarket, targeting customers who are willing to pay more.
Used as an adjective and after go or move: an upmarket brand, the chain went upmarket. The opposite is downmarket, which works the same way. Written as one word, though American English generally says upscale instead.
overdueneutral /ˌoʊvərˈdu/ Not paid or done by the expected time. Synonyms: late,unpaid	late; past the due date	The invoice is now three weeks overdue, so we will have to send a reminder.
It follows a verb far more often than it sits before a noun: the invoice is overdue, three weeks overdue. It also means long-awaited, as in a change that is long overdue. There is no verb to overdue.
worthwhileneutral /ˌwɜrθˈwaɪl/ Useful or important enough to spend time or money on. Synonyms: valuable, well worth it	worth the time or money	Training staff properly is expensive, but it is a worthwhile investment in the long run.
Worth on its own needs an object, as in worth the money or worth doing, while worthwhile stands alone: a worthwhile investment, the trip was worthwhile. Worthy means deserving respect, a different idea again.
steadilyneutral /ˈstɛdəli/ Gradually and at a regular speed, without stopping. Synonyms: gradually, consistently	gradually and regularly	Exports have grown steadily since the trade agreement was signed.
It pairs with verbs of gradual change: rise, fall, grow or improve steadily. It signals a regular pace, so it cannot describe a sudden jump. The adjective is steady, and the opposite adverb here is sharply.
sharplyneutral /ˈʃɑrpli/ Suddenly and by a large amount. Synonyms: steeply	suddenly and greatly	Unemployment rose sharply during the recession before falling again in the recovery.
It goes after the verb it modifies: prices rose sharply, sales fell sharply. It works for rises and falls alike, unlike surge or plummet. The adjective is sharp, and it also means severely, as in he spoke sharply.
annuallyneutral /ˈænjuəli/ Once every year. Synonyms: yearly	once a year	The company's accounts are audited annually by an independent firm.
Normally at the end of the clause: the accounts are audited annually. The adjective is annual, as in annual report or annual leave. Yearly means the same and sounds plainer, and year on year is the phrase for comparing them.
value for moneyneutral /ˌvælju fər ˈmʌni/ Good quality compared with the price paid. Synonyms: good value, worth the price	good quality for the price	The hotel is not luxurious, but it offers excellent value for money.
Good value for money and offer value for money are the frames, with no article and no plural. Hyphenated before a noun, as in a value-for-money option. American English often shortens it to good value.
out of stockneutral /ˌaʊt əv ˈstɑk/ Not available to buy because everything has been sold. Synonyms: sold out, unavailable	sold out	The toy sold so fast that it was out of stock by the middle of December.
The opposite is in stock, and stock here means goods on hand, which American business also calls inventory. It follows a verb and is never used before a noun: the item is out of stock, it went out of stock.
in bulkneutral /ɪn ˈbʌlk/ In large quantities, usually at a lower price. Synonyms: in large quantities, wholesale	in large quantities	Buying in bulk works out cheaper, provided you have somewhere to store everything.
A fixed phrase after a verb: buy in bulk, ship in bulk, sell in bulk. Before a noun it drops the in and takes no hyphen, as in a bulk order or a bulk discount. Bulk is uncountable, so in bulks is always wrong.
in the redneutral /ɪn ðə ˈrɛd/ Owing money; having a negative bank balance. Synonyms: overdrawn, in debt	owing money	The account has been in the red since the company paid for the new machinery.
The opposite is in the black, meaning profitable, and the image comes from accounts once written in red ink for losses. It follows a verb and always keeps the: the account is in the red, they slipped into the red.
red tapeneutral /ˌrɛd ˈteɪp/ Official rules and paperwork that seem unnecessary and cause delay. Synonyms: bureaucracy	unnecessary official rules	So much red tape was involved that the license took a year to arrive.
Always disapproving, so nobody ever praises red tape. Cut red tape, so much red tape, tangled in red tape, with no article and no plural. Bureaucracy is the formal equivalent for the same complaint.
household nameneutral /ˈhaʊshoʊld ˈneɪm/ A name or brand that almost everyone knows. Synonyms: famous brand, well-known name	brand everyone knows	Within five years, the brand had become a household name across Europe.
Nearly always with become: the brand became a household name. It says nothing about quality, only about how widely the name is recognized. Household word is an older variant, heard less often now.

English B2 — Business & Economy Official

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