Language Research

business · noun

/ˈbɪz.nəs/Full view

business (SELLING)

A1 U the activity of buying and selling goods and services

Dictionary examples:

He's in business with his cousin.

We decided to go into business together.

Our firm does a lot of business with overseas customers.

This new tax will put a lot of small companies out of business.

a business appointment/call/meeting

Learner example:

This week I have to go to Germany to do [some] business with one of our customers. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Spanish)

business (ORGANIZATION)

A2 C an organization that sells goods or services

Dictionary examples:

He runs a small IT business.

The two brothers set up/started up an office supplies business.

Learner example:

This is [a] horrible [time] to start a new job or business. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

business (WORK)

B1 U the work that you do to earn money

Dictionary example:

I'm in Baltimore on business.

Learner example:

I was there on business. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Polish)

be none of sb's business

B2 If something is none of someone's business, they do not need to know about it, although they want to, because it does not affect them.

Dictionary example:

I'm certainly not going to tell Lara how much money I've spent - it's none of her business!

Learner example:

You might think it's none of my business, but I simply have to say this. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

mind your own business

C2 used to tell someone in that you are annoyed and they should not ask about something private

Dictionary example:

I wish you'd just mind your own business.

Learner example:

Despite knowing that he was only doing what he thought was best for me, I couldn't stand him, and I often told him to mind his own business. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)