businessman English · revision 14912

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1803}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈbɪz.nɪs.mən/, /ˈbɪz.nɪs.mæn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a compound, [[af|en|business|man]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A man engaged in business: 1803 in Merriam-Webster, 1826 in Etymonline.^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Man of business'' is recorded from the 1660s.^(Etymonline) ''Woman of business'' followed in 1838 and businesswoman in 1844.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1660s – man of business.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1803 – businessman.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1844 – businesswoman.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person, especially a man, engaged in commercial or industrial [[business]], especially as an owner or [[executive]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[agribusinessman]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[business]]

+ * [[businesswoman]]

+ * [[businessperson]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}