enterprise
EN-ter-pryze
/ˈentərpraɪz/
A project or undertaking, typically one that is difficult or requires effort; also, another name for a business or company.
Suggests a sense of initiative, risk-taking, and scale beyond a simple 'small business'.
The story behind the word. From the Old French 'entreprendre', meaning 'to undertake'. It combines 'entre' (between) and 'prendre' (to take). It literally means to 'take something between your hands' to get it done.
Word relationships
- venture: A venture specifically implies a risky or daring journey or undertaking.
- corporation: A corporation is a specific legal entity; enterprise is a broader term for the undertaking itself.
- idleness: The state of doing nothing, the opposite of an active undertaking.
Commonly confused with
- business: Business is the general term for trade; enterprise implies more ambition or a specific large project.
Word family
- enterprising (adjective): Having or showing initiative and resourcefulness.
Collocations
- private enterprise
- commercial enterprise
- joint enterprise
- free enterprise
Example sentences
- "The success of the space program was a massive collective enterprise that pushed the boundaries of human engineering." Discussing the spirit of innovation.
Memory hook
Think of the Starship Enterprise. It was a massive, risky undertaking (enterprise) to go where no one had gone before. Enterprise = Enter a prize-winning project.
When not to use
Do not use for a routine, easy task.
Fun facts
- In the 15th century, 'enterprise' was often used to describe a daring military attack.
Related words
Explore more words
venture, endeavor, startup, consortium, make an effort, ambition
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