Business Glossary

Business Glossary How-to play the English-French Business Vocabulary Card Game Business_vocabulary_translation_card_gameDownload Download the PDF of the business vocabulary cards above and print double sided copies from page 2 onward. In groups of three or four, place the pack of cards on the table in the middle with the cards face down. Player one picks up a card and reads the French clue. The other players try to guess the English word. The first player to guess correctly gets the card. Play continues to the left (clockwise). The person with the most cards after twenty minutes of play is the winner. Listening resources The Best Business CareersA day in the life: Small Business OwnerA day in the life: Business Valuator Reading resources Careers in BusinessA Business Students Hypertext Narrative Grammar resources Online ESL grammar checker Vocabulary List accelerated benefitsProvision in some life insurance policies that allows the policy holder to receive (in part or in full) the face amount of the policy before death, such as in case of serious illness or injury requiring long-term care. Also called living benefits. accountA register of financial transactions for securely and quickly providing frequent access to funds on demand, through a variety of different channels. accountantA person concerned with the maintenance and audit of business accounts and the preparation of consultant reports in tax and finance. accountingA detailed report of the financial state or transactions of a person or entity. actuaryA person who compiles and analyzes statistics and uses them to calculate insurance risks and premiums. administratorOne who administers, especially one who works as a manager in a business, government agency, or school. agentA person who does business for another person agreementA negotiated and usually legally enforceable understanding between two or more parties. amortizationThe process of decreasing an amount over a period. When used in the context of a loan, amortization is the process by which your loan principal decreases over the life of your loan. amountA quantity of something, typically the total of a thing or things in number, size, value, or extent. annual reportA document reporting to stockholders on management and operations and containing fiscal information, published yearly by a publicly held corporation as required by federal law. appointmentAn agreement to meet with someone at a particular time. assetAnything tangible or intangible that is capable of being owned or controlled to produce value and that is held to have positive economic value. associate A person united with another or others in an act, enterprise, or business; a partner or colleague. auditorA person appointed and authorized to examine accounts and accounting records, compare the charges with the vouchers, verify balance sheet and income items, and state the result. averageThe result obtained by adding several quantities together and then dividing this total by the number of quantities; the mean. balance sheetA statement of the financial position of a business on a specified date. bankingThe business carried on by a bank or a banker. bankruptDeclared in law unable to pay outstanding debts. bankruptcyA legal status of a person or other entity that cannot repay the debts it owes to creditors. In most jurisdictions, bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor. benchmarkingComparing ones products to those of competitors in order to improve quality and performance. benefitsA payment made or an entitlement available in accordance with a wage agreement, an insurance policy, or a public assistance program. bill of ladingA document issued by a carrier to a shipper, listing and acknowledging receipt of goods for transport and specifying terms of delivery. bondA debt investment in which an investor loans money to an entity (corporate or governmental) that borrows the funds for a defined period of time at a fixed interest rate. bookkeepingThe activity or occupation of keeping records of the financial affairs of a business. brandA category of products that are all made by a particular company and all have a particular name. break evenThe point in a business venture when the profits are equal to the costs. brokerA person who buys and sells goods or assets for others. budgetAn estimate of income and expenditure for a set period of time. businessA person, partnership, or corporation engaged in commerce, manufacturing, or a service; profit-seeking enterprise or concern. business analyst The individual who looks closely at a company or departments operations to find where the areas of weaknesses are, and helps develop solutions to overcome those weaknesses. business cardA small card printed or engraved with a persons name and business affiliation, including such information as title, address, and telephone number. business lawCommercial law, also known as business law, is the body of law that applies to the rights, relations, and conduct of persons and businesses engaged in commerce, merchandising, trade, and sales. business plan Set of documents prepared by a firms management to summarize its operational and financial objectives for the near future (usually one to three years) and to show how they will be achieved. It serves as a blueprint to guide the firms policies and strategies, and is continually modified as conditions change and new opportunities and/or threats emerge. When prepared for external audience (lenders, prospective investors) it details the past, present, and forecasted performance of the firm. And usually also contains pro-forma balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, to illustrate how the financing being sought will affect the firms financial position. business proposalA business proposal is a written offer from a seller to a prospective buyer. calculationA mathematical determination of the size or number of something. calculatorSomething used for making mathematical calculations, in particular a small electronic device with a keyboard and a visual display. capitalWealth in the form of money or other assets owned by a person or organization or available or contributed for a particular purpose such as starting a company or investing. capitalizeTo use as or convert into capital. cash dispenserAutomatic machine from which a bank customer can withdraw money. cash flowThe amount of money the company has on hand to pay of its operating expenses. chain storeTwo or more shops or outlets that have the same owner and sell similar lines of merchandise. civil servantA member of the civil service. clear my deskTo get work finished. cold callAn unsolicited visit or telephone call made by someone trying to sell goods or services. commodity A raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold, such as copper or coffee. communication processThe sharing of meaningful information between two or more people with the goal of the receiver understanding the senders intended message. In business, the effectiveness of a companys internal and external communication process is often very important to its overall success. companyA business organization that makes, buys, or sells goods or provides services in exchange for money. competitorsA rival competitorsAn organization or country that is engaged in commercial or economic competition with others. consumerA person who buys goods and services. contractA formal agreement between two or more parties. A document that states the terms of such an agreement. The branch of law treating of contracts. contractorA person who is hired to perform work or to provide goods at a certain price or within a certain time. cooperativeA farm, business, or other organization that is owned and run jointly by its members, who share the profits or benefits. coreThe basic or most important part. corner office A corner office is an office that is located in the corner of a building. corporationAn association of individuals, created by law or under authority of law, having a continuous existence independent of the existences of its members, and powers and liabilities distinct from those of its members. See also municipal corporation, public corporation. costTo estimate the price of making a product. creditThe ability of a customer to obtain goods or services before payment, based on the trust that payment will be made in the future. credit accountAn account which a customer has with a shop which allows him or her to buy goods and pay for them late. cubicleA small partitioned-off area of a room, for example one containing a bed in a dwelling or one containing a desk in an office. currencySomething that is used as a medium of exchange; money. currencyA system of money in general use in a particular country. customerSomeone who buys goods or services from a business. damage injury or harm that reduces value or usefulness. deadlineA time limit, as for payment of a debt or completion of an assignment. debtSomething, typically money, that is owed or due. deduction (taxation) Fixed amount or percentage permitted by taxation authorities that a tax payer can subtract from his or her adjusted gross income to arrive at the taxable income. deficitThe amount by which something, esp. a sum of money, is too small. depositA sum of money placed or kept in a bank account, usually to gain interest. depreciationdecrease in value due to wear and tear, decay, decline in price, etc. derivativeThe derivative of a function of a real variable measures the sensitivity to change of a quantity which is determined by another quantity. It is a fundamental tool of calculus. developmentThe act or process of developing; growth; progress: child development; economic development. direct investmentEntering a foreign market by setting up assembly or manufacturing facilities in that country. discountTo purchase or sell (a bill, note, or other commercial paper) at a reduction equal to the amount of interest that will accumulate before it matures. distributionThe delivering of products to end-users, inc. advertising, storing etc. dividendA portion of a companys earnings which is paid to the shareholders/stockholders on a quarterly or annual basis. divisionThe action of separating something into parts, or the process of being separated. down paymentGood faith deposit made by a buyer to underline his or hercommitment to complete the deal. downsizingAn important word suggesting that you lay off staff. economyThrifty management; frugality in the expenditure or consumption of money, materials, etc. economy An entire network of producers, distributors, and consumers of goods and services in a local, regional, or national community. economy of scale A proportionate saving in costs gained by an increased level of production. efficientAchieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense. employeeA person who works for another in return for financial or other compensation. end-user The person, customer etc who is the ultimate (and so real) user of a product. entrepreneurA person who organizes, operates, and assumes the risk for a business venture. entrepreneurshipThe capacity and willingness to develop, organize and manage a business venture along with any of its risks in order to make a profit. The most obvious example of entrepreneurship is the starting of new businesses. In economics, entrepreneurship combined with land, labor, natural resources and capital can produce profit. Entrepreneurial spirit is characterized by innovation and risk-taking, and is an essential part of a nations ability to succeed in an ever changing and increasingly competitive global marketplace. equitiesStocks and shares which represent a portion of the capital of a company. evolutionA product of such development; something evolved: The exploration of space is the evolution of decades of research. exchange rateThe ratio at which a unit of the currency of one country can be exchanged for that of another country. exhaustionThe state of being extremely tired. expenditureThe act of expending something, especially funds; disbursement; consumption. expenditure-based budgetBudget based on the cost of goods and services already received and paid for. Financial plan based on the cost of goods and services already received and paid for. See also cost based budget. exponentA quantity representing the power to which a given number or expression is to be raised, usually expressed as a raised symbol beside the number or expression. exportTo ship (commodities) to other countries or places for sale, exchange, etc. facilitySomething created to serve a particular function. factoryA building or group of buildings containing a plant assembly for the manufacture of goods. feeA charge or payment for professional services. feeThe price one pays as remuneration for services. Fees usually allow for overhead, wages, costs, and markup. fileA folder or box for holding loose papers that are typically arranged in a particular order for easy reference. financeThe management of large amounts of money, esp. by governments or large companies. finance charges Total cost of borrowing, including interest charges, commitment fees, and other charges paid by the borrower for availing the loan facility. See also cost of capital. financialA broad term used to describe many aspects of finance or the financial industry, such as financial instruments, financial services, financial institutions, financial advisors, or financial planning. financial accountingA field of accounting that treats money as a means of measuring economic performance instead of as a factor of production. financial analystAn analyst who studies the financial performance of corporations. financial analystSomeone whose job is to study companies’ financial performance, usually inorder to decide which ones to invest in. financial assistanceAssistance given by a company for the purchase of its shares or those of its holding companies. firmA business organization, such as a corporation, limited liability company or partnership. frameworkAn essential supporting structure of a building, vehicle, or object. franchiseAssociation between a manufacturer or wholesaler (franchiser) and an independent business person (franchisee) who buys the right to own and operate a unit in the franchise system. freightgoods transported by truck, train, ship, or aircraft. fundA sum of money saved or made available for a particular purpose. gainAn increase, or the act of becoming larger or an increase in profit, price, or value. gainful employmentEmployment situation where the employee receives consistent work and payment from the employer. Gainful employment is most often associated with college graduates who become employed after they graduate as a way to measure or rank the college or university where they received their education and training. general journal where double entry bookkeeping entries are recorded by debiting one or more accounts and crediting another one or more accounts with the same total amount. The total amount debited and the total amount credited should always be equal, thereby ensuring the accounting equation is maintained. get the axeTo get fired. goodwillAn intangible, salable asset arising from the reputation of a business and its relations with its customers, distinct from the value of its stock and other tangible assets. grosswithout tax or other contributions having been deducted. headhunter A person who identifies and approaches suitable candidates employed elsewhere to fill business positions. headquartersA center of operations or administration. imageThe concept or perception of a firm or product held by the general public. importTo bring in (merchandise, commodities, workers, etc.) from a foreign country for use, sale, processing, reexport, or services. incentiveA thing that motivates or encourages one to do something. income taxA tax levied on net personal or business income. income taxesA tax levied on incomes, especially an annual government tax on personal incomes. income taxesTax levied by a government directly on income, esp. an annual tax on personal income. insuranceA practice or arrangement by which a company or government agency provides a guarantee of compensation for specified loss, damage, illness, or death in return for payment of a premium. integralA function of which a given function is the derivative, i.e., which yields that function when differentiated, and which may express the area under the curve of a graph of the function. interestmoney paid regularly at a particular rate for the use of money lent, or for delaying the repayment of a debt. inventoryA detailed, itemized list, report, or record of things in ones possession, especially a periodic survey of all goods and materials in stock. investment Money committed or property acquired for future income. Two main classes of investment are (1) Fixed income investment such as bonds, fixed deposits, preference shares, and (2) Variable income investment such as business ownership (equities), or property ownership. In economics, investment means creation of capital or goods capable of producing other goods or services. Expenditure on education and health is recognized as an investment in human capital, and research and development in intellectual capital. Return on investment (ROI) is a key measure of an organizations performance. investment fundsA supply of capital belonging to numerous investors that is used to collectively purchase securities while each investor retains ownership and control of his or her own shares. investorSomeone who commits capital in order to gain financial returns. invoiceA list of goods sent or services provided, with a statement of the sum due for these; a bill. joint ventureA way of entering a foreign market by joining with a foreign company to manufacture or market a product or service. labelSmall piece of paper, metal etc on a product giving information about it. labor standardsInternational labor standards refer to conventions agreed upon by international actors, resulting from a series of value judgments, set forth to protect basic worker rights, enhance workers’ job security, and improve their terms of employment on a global scale. launchTo introduce a new product, with publicity etc. lay-offsThe downsizing means that some people may lose their job. leadershipThe individuals who are the leaders in an organization, regarded collectively. The activity of leading a group of people or an organization or the ability to do this. Leadership involves: establishing a clear vision, sharing that vision with others so that they will follow willingly, providing the information, knowledge and methods to realize that vision, and coordinating and balancing the conflicting interests of all members and stakeholders. leader steps up in times of crisis, and is able to think and act creatively in difficult situations. Unlike management, leadership cannot be taught, although it may be learned and enhanced through coaching or mentoring. Someone with great leadership skills today is Bill Gates who, despite early failures, with continued passion and innovation has driven Microsoft and the software industry to success. The act of inspiring subordinates to perform and engage in achieving a goal. legal tenderCurrency that cannot legally be refused as payment. lendTo grant the use of (something) on condition that it or itsequivalent will be returned. let someone goTo fire someone or lay someone off. leverageThe ratio of a companys loan capital (debt) to the value of its common stock (equity). liabilitiesThe financial obligations entered in the balance sheet of a business enterprise. liabilitiesThe debts and obligations of a company or an individual. liability A current obligation of an entity arising from past transactions or events. linear functionIn mathematics, the term linear function refers to two different, although related, notions: ?In calculus and related areas, a linear function is a polynomial function of degree zero or one, or is the zero polynomial. ?In linear algebra and functional analysis, a linear function is a linear map. loan A sum of money lent with interest. logarithmicof, relating to, or expressed in terms of logarithms. loss Excess of expenditure over income or excess of cost over the net proceeds from a transaction. lucrativeProfitable; moneymaking; remunerative: a lucrative business. mail orderThe selling of goods by post. managementThe members of the executive or administration of an organization or business. managementThe process of dealing with or controlling things or people. management strategySkill in managing; executive ability. managerSomeone who is in charge of a business, department, etc. marketAn area where a product or service can be sold. market economyAn economy that relies chiefly on market forces to allocate goods and resources and to determine prices. market researchStudy of consumers needs preferences, often for a particular product. marketingis the process of communicating the value of a product or service to customers, for the purpose of selling that product or service. maximizingTo increase or make as great as possible. meetingA gathering of people for a particular purpose (such as to talk about business). meeting agendaA written statement of the matters which will be considered at a particular meeting. microeconomicsThe branch of economics that analyzes the market behavior of individual consumers and firms in an attempt to understand the decision-making process of firms and households. microfinanceAlternative term for micro credit. moneyA medium of exchange that functions as legal tender. The official currency, in the form of banknotes, coins, etc, issued by a goverment or other authority. mortgageAgreement by which a bank or building society lends money for the purchase of property, such as a house or apartment. The property is the security for the loan. mortgageeAn entity that lends money to a borrower for the purpose of purchasing a piece of real property. motivateprovide (someone) with a motive for doing something. mutual fundSavings fund that uses cash from a pool of savers to buy securities such as stock, bonds or real estate. negotiationThe act or process of negotiating. night deposit boxA place where you can put money in the bank during off hours. offerTo provide or make accessible. officeA room, set of rooms, or building used as a place for commercial, professional, or bureaucratic work. office automationOffice automation refers to the varied computer machinery and software used to digitally create, collect, store, manipulate, and relay office information needed for accomplishing basic tasks. operating budgetA detailed projection of all estimated income and expensesbased on forecasted sales revenue during a given period. opportunityA favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances. organizationA group of persons organized for a particular purpose; an association. overdraftA deficit in a bank account caused by drawing more money than the account holds. partnerA person who shares or is associated with another in some action or endeavor; sharer; associate. patentA government authority or licence conferring a right or title for a set period, esp. the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention. payTo transfer or give a certain amount of money in return for a purchase. pay a billdefine :to pay a amount of a goods or services we bought pay backTo settle (a debt, obligation, etc.), as by transferring money or goods, or by doing something. paymentThe action or process of paying someone or something, or of being paid. point of saleThe place where a product is actually sold to the public. president( often initial capital letter ) the highest executive officer of a modern republic, as the Chief Executive of the United States. pressureThe burden of mental or physical distress especially from grief, illness, or adversity. priceThe amount of money expected, required, or given in payment for something. price analysis Evaluation of bid prices through (1) comparison of submitted bids or quotations, (2) comparison of current quotations with previous quotations for the same or similar items, (3) comparison with own cost estimates, and (4) use of standard measures. prime rate The lowest rate of interest at which money may be borrowed commercially. probabilityThe extent to which something is probable; the likelihood of something happening or being the case. productSomething made to be sold; merchandise. product developmentThe process of creating a new product or improving an existing one. productionThe act of producing; creation; manufacture. profitExcess of revenues over outlays and expenses in a business enterprise over a given period of time, usually a year. profitableYielding profit; advantageous or lucrative. project managementThe body of knowledge concerned with principles, techniques, and tools used in planning, control, monitoring, and review of projects. promotionTo further or encourage the progress or existence of. To raise to a higher rank, status, degree, etc. proxyThe authority to represent someone else, esp. in voting. publicitySomething that attracts the attention of the public. purchaseTo get (something) by paying money for it. purchase orderA commercial document used to request someone to supply something in return for payment and providing specifications and quantities. purchaserA person who buys something; a buyer. rangeA selection of products sold by a company. rate of changeMomentum and rate of change are simple technical analysis indicators showing the difference between todays closing price and the close N days ago. real estate Land, including all the natural resources and permanent buildings on it. record of taxA compulsory financial contribution imposed by a government to raise revenue, levied on the income or property of persons or organizations, on the production costs or sales prices of goods and services. refundTo give back, especially money; return or repay. representative A person or thing that represents another or others. A person who represents and tries to sell the products or services of a firm. requestTo express a desire for, esp politely; ask for or demand. retailThe sale of goods to the public in relatively small quantities for use or consumption rather than for resale. retail saledefines the sale of goods to ultimate consumers, usually in small quantities. retailerA business or person that sells goods to the consumer, as opposed to a wholesaler or supplier, who normally sell their goods to another business. roundAlter (a number) to one less exact but more convenient for calculations. safety deposit boxA box you can rent in the vault of a bank to protect your valuables. salaryA fixed regular payment made by an employer, often monthly, for professional or office work as opposed to manual work. saleThe exchange of goods, property, or services for an agreed sum of money or credit. sales figuresThe value or amount of the total sales of an industrys or companys productsfor a particular period: secretaryA person employed by an individual or in an office to assist with correspondence, keep records, make appointments, and carry out similar tasks. sellerA party that makes, offers or contracts to make a sale to an actual or potential buyer. Also called a vendor senior executivesA long standing and top ranking member of the management of an organization. In the business world, a typical senior executive is well respected within their company and has either been well educated in business matters or has worked their way up through the ranks of their company to gain an extensive range of experience. service An organized system of labour and material aids used to supply the needs of the public: telephone service, bus service. shareThe capital of a company is divided into shares which entitle the owner, or shareholder, to a proportion of the profits. shareA part or portion of a larger amount that is divided among a number of people, or to which a number of people contribute. shareholderAn owner of shares in a company. software packagewritten programs or procedures or rules and associated documentation pertaining to the operation of a computer system and that are stored in read/write memory. speculatorSomeone who buys and sells stocks and shares in the hope of making a profit through changes in their value. spreadsheetA computer program in which figures arranged in the rows and columns of a grid can be manipulated and used in calculations. staffA group of persons, as employees, charged with carrying out the work of an establishment or executing some undertaking. standardAn average level of development or achievement. statementAn abstract of a commercial or financial account showing an amount due. statisticA number that represents a piece of information (such as information about how often something is done, how common something is, etc.). statisticsThe practice or science of collecting and analyzing numerical data in large quantities, esp. for the purpose of inferring proportions in a whole from those in a representative sample. stock exchangeA market in which securities are bought and sold. stockbrokerA licensed professional who buys and sells stocks and shares for clients in exchange for a fee called a commission. stockholderOne that owns or holds a share or shares of stock; a shareholder storeA building or room where things are sold. strategyA plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall aim. subscriptionAn agreement to purchase a certain amount ofsecurities, such as stocks. subtractionThe process or skill of taking one number or amount away from another. sumThe total amount resulting from the addition of two or more numbers, amounts, or items superintendent A person who manages or superintends an organization or activity. supplierSomeone who offers goods and services for sale. supplyThe amount of a resource that is available. surveyTo ask (many people) a question or a series of questions in order to gather information about what most people do or think about something taxA compulsory financial contribution imposed by a government to raise revenue, levied on the income or property of persons or organizations, on the production costs or sales prices of goods and services, etc. tax accountingThe management of accounting practices that incorporates tax laws. This type of accounting is regulated by the IRS. tax leviesA Tax levy, under United States Federal law, is an administrative action by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under statutory authority, without going to court, to seize property to satisfy a tax liability. tax systemA legal system for assessing and collecting taxes. legal system a system for interpreting and enforcing the laws. law, jurisprudence. teamA group of people organized to work together. team based organization (tbo) Non-traditional, innovative work environment relying on teams to achieve its objectives. TBOs major characteristics include (1) mutual trust, (2) employee empowerment in planning, organization, and goal-setting, (3) shared responsibility for self-management, (4) shared accountability for performance, and (5) shared leadership. technologyThe use of science in industry, engineering, etc., to invent useful things or to solve problems. tellerAn employee of a bank who receives or pays out money at a counter. tenderSomething tendered or offered, especially money, as in payment. terms of saleThe delivery and payment terms agreed between a buyer and a seller. the amountThe sum of the principal and interest of a loan. to compete To strive against another or others to attain a goal. tradeThe activity or process of buying, selling, or exchanging goods or services traderInvestor who holds stocks and securities for a short time (minutes, hours or days) with the objective of making profit from short-term gains in the market. Investment is generally based on stock price rather than on an evaluation of the company. traineeA person undergoing training for a particular job or profession. transactionThe act of transacting or the fact of being transacted. transactionSomething that is transacted, esp a business deal or negotiation. treasurerOne who has charge of funds or revenues, especially the chief financial officer of a government, corporation, or association. trendA general direction in which something is developing or changing. trustconfidence in the certainty of future payment for property or goods received; credit: to sell merchandise on trust. underwriterA person or organization that finances something. unionA combination of bankers or capitalists formed for the purpose of carrying out some project requiring large resources of capital, as the underwriting of an issue of stock or bonds. upgradeNewer (and usually more expensive) version of a computer hardware or software, or machine or equipment. valuemonetary or material worth, as in commerce or trade: This piece of land has greatly increased in value. vaultA room or compartment, often built of or lined with steel, reserved for the storage and safekeeping of valuables, especially such a place in a bank. ventureA risky or daring journey or undertaking. viral marketingThe internet version of word-of-mouth marketing email messages that customers pass on to friends. warrantyA written guarantee, issued to the purchaser of an article by its manufacturer, promising to repair or replace it if necessary within a specified period of time. waybillA list of passengers or goods being carried on a vehicle. wholesaleThe sale of goods in large quantities, as for resale by a retailer. withdrawTake money from a bank account. withdrawalThe action of withdrawing something. workloadThe amount of work to be done by someone or something. workshopA room, group of rooms, or building in which work, especially mechanical work, is carried on. year planA year during which plan records are kept. This can be a fiscal or calendar year. yieldThe income return on an investment. Use these glossary items with the Virtual Writing Tutors Target Structure vocabulary checker. How to play the Business Vocabulary Card Game Business_vocabulary_translation_card_gameDownload Download the PDF of the business vocabulary cards above. Print double-sided copies from page 2 onward. In groups of three or four, place the pack of cards on the table in the middle with the cards face down. Player one picks up a card and reads the French clue. The other players try to guess the English word. The first player to guess correctly gets the card. Play continues to the left (clockwise). The person with the most cards after twenty minutes of play is the winner. Recommended Please follow and like us: