entrepreneur

Where does the word "entrepreneur" come from? It comes from French entreprendre, passing through French before entering English (1800s).

Entrepreneur’s story begins in French: entreprendre meant “to undertake.” Within French, it grew into entrepreneur by 1700s. Came to mean one who undertakes a business venture. It reached English by 1800s as entrepreneur. The economist Richard Cantillon used it in the 1730s; Joseph Schumpeter made it central in the 1900s. Today, entrepreneur means a person who starts and runs a business, taking on financial risk.

1. Stage 1 · French · medieval entreprendre "to undertake", meaning "to undertake".
2. Stage 2 · French · 1700s entrepreneur "one who undertakes a venture", came to mean one who undertakes a business venture.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1800s entrepreneur "a person who starts and runs a business, taking on financial risk", the economist Richard Cantillon used it in the 1730s; Joseph Schumpeter made it central in the 1900s.