IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary

entrepreneur

noun/ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜː/Band 6

Last updated 21 July 2026

In short

“entrepreneur” is a Band 6 noun that means a person who sets up a business, taking on financial risk in the hope of profit. Below you'll find its pronunciation, natural example sentences, synonyms and antonyms, and the collocations that help you use it accurately in the IELTS Speaking test.

Meaning

A person who sets up a business, taking on financial risk in the hope of profit.

Example sentences

Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.

  • The scheme supports young entrepreneurs.
  • A successful entrepreneur spots gaps in the market.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

founderbusiness ownerinnovator

Antonyms

employee

Collocations & common phrases

Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.

Collocations

budding entrepreneurserial entrepreneurtech entrepreneur

Common phrases

an entrepreneurial spirit

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Frequently asked questions

What does “entrepreneur” mean?
A person who sets up a business, taking on financial risk in the hope of profit.
How do you use “entrepreneur” in a sentence?
For example: “The scheme supports young entrepreneurs.”
What are some synonyms for “entrepreneur”?
Synonyms include founder, business owner, innovator.
Is “entrepreneur” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 6 vocabulary, and collocations such as budding entrepreneur, serial entrepreneur, tech entrepreneur help you use it naturally. Reaching for precise, less common words like this is exactly what lifts your Lexical Resource score.

Next step

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