enterprising
/ˈen.tə.praɪ.zɪŋ/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Showing energy, courage, and a good sense for spotting opportunities. An enterprising person tries new things and finds practical ways to succeed.
- She is an enterprising young entrepreneur.
- The company hired enterprising graduates.
Adinary Nuance
Enterprising is close to words like ambitious, energetic, and resourceful, but it adds a strong sense of initiative. An enterprising person does not only want success; they also look for chances and act on them. It often sounds positive in business, study, and news writing.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Có chí tiến thủ
- Spanish
- Emprendedor
- Chinese
- 有创业精神的
- Japanese
- 進取的な
- Korean
- 진취적인
Etymology
Enterprising comes from the noun enterprise, which entered English from Old French in the Middle Ages. It originally meant a bold attempt or undertaking.
Common phrases
an enterprising spiritan enterprising personenterprising ideasenterprising young people
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is enterprising a positive word?
- Yes. It usually praises someone who is active, practical, and good at finding chances.
- What is the difference between enterprising and ambitious?
- Ambitious means wanting success. Enterprising means taking smart action to get it.
- Is enterprising common in business writing?
- Yes. It is common in formal writing, especially for people, teams, and startups.
- Can I use enterprising for a person?
- Yes. It is often used for people who show initiative and try new things.