Enterprise — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈen-tər-ˌprīz/ en·ter·prise

Meaning & Definition of Enterprise

Enterprise (noun)

  1. a project or undertaking that is especially difficult, complicated, or risky
  2. a unit of economic organization or activity; especially, a business organization
  3. a systematic purposeful activity

Enterprise (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a commercial or industrial activity or organization

    "the booming economy witnessed the launch of many small enterprises"

    similar: business, company, concern, establishment, firm, house, interest, outfit
    related: conglomerate, corporation, multinational, association, cartel, chain, combine, syndicate, trust, agency, dealer, outlet, microenterprise

  2. readiness to engage in daring or difficult activity

    "the enterprise shown by the early developers and promoters of personal computers"

    similar: action, aggressiveness, ambition, drive, go, hustle, initiative
    related: grit, gumption, pluck, snap, spirit, spunk, starch, ambitiousness, killer instinct, overambitiousness, assertiveness, self-reliance, energy, hardihood, pep, vigor, vitality
    near: inactivity, inertia, passivity, diffidence, faintheartedness, timidity, hesitation, reluctance, indolence, laziness, lethargy

  3. a risky undertaking

    "the general viewed the proposed invasion as a military enterprise that offered no easy way out"

    similar: adventure, chance, crapshoot, flier, flutter (chiefly British), gamble, speculation, throw, venture
    related: bet, hazard, stake, wager, liberty, dark horse, long shot, play
    opposite: sure thing

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Enterprise

The most common words with a similar meaning to Enterprise:

Chiefly British: flutter
business, company, concern, establishment, firm, house, interest, outfit, action, aggressiveness, ambition, drive, go, hustle, initiative, adventure, chance, crapshoot, flier, gamble, speculation, throw, venture

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Enterprise

Words with the opposite meaning of Enterprise:

sure thing

Related Words for Enterprise

conglomerate, corporation, multinational, association, cartel, chain, combine, syndicate, trust, agency, dealer, outlet, microenterprise, grit, gumption, pluck, snap, spirit, spunk, starch, ambitiousness, killer instinct, overambitiousness, assertiveness, self-reliance, energy, hardihood, pep, vigor, vitality

Near Antonyms of Enterprise

inactivity, inertia, passivity, diffidence, faintheartedness, timidity, hesitation, reluctance, indolence, laziness, lethargy

Origin & Etymology of Enterprise

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from entreprendre to undertake, from entre- inter- + prendre to take prize

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Enterprise

Words & Phrases Containing Enterprise

enterprise zone, free enterprise, private enterprise

Frequently Asked Questions about Enterprise

What does "Enterprise" mean?

"Enterprise" means a project or undertaking that is especially difficult, complicated, or risky. As a noun, it is defined as: a project or undertaking that is especially difficult, complicated, or risky. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Enterprise"?

Other words for "Enterprise" include business, company, concern, establishment, firm, house, interest and outfit. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Enterprise" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Enterprise"?

There are 62 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Enterprise". Common alternatives include business, company, concern, establishment, firm, house, interest, outfit, action and aggressiveness.

What is the opposite of "Enterprise"?

Antonyms of "Enterprise" include sure thing. Near antonyms include inactivity, inertia, passivity and diffidence.

How do you use "Enterprise" in a sentence?

Examples of "Enterprise" in a sentence: "the booming economy witnessed the launch of many small enterprises"; "the enterprise shown by the early developers and promoters of personal computers"; "the general viewed the proposed invasion as a military enterprise that offered no easy way out".

Is "Enterprise" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Enterprise" is a noun.

Is "Enterprise" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Enterprise" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Enterprise"?

"Enterprise" is pronounced /ˈen-tər-ˌprīz/ and divided into syllables as en·ter·prise.