143 English words
English vocabulary for work, business and money
Useful English words about jobs, companies, the economy, money and the workplace, with meanings, pronunciation and example sentences.
Words
A
- accountnounB1an arrangement with a bank to keep your money thereI opened a savings account last year.
- administrationnounB2the work of organizing and running a business, school or other organizationShe works in hospital administration.
- agencynounB2a business that provides a service for other people or companiesWe booked the trip through a travel agency.
- agentnounB1a person whose job is to act or do business for someone elseHer agent found her a role in a new film.
- agreementnounB1an arrangement or promise between people, groups or countriesThe two companies signed an agreement.
- aidenounC1a person who helps someone important, especially a politician, in their workA senior aide to the president resigned yesterday.
- applyverbB1to ask formally for something, usually in writingI applied for a job at the bank.
- appointverbB2to officially choose someone for a job or positionShe was appointed head of the department last year.
- arbitrateverbC2to officially judge a disagreement between two sides as a neutral personA retired judge was asked to arbitrate the dispute.
- artistnounA2a person who paints, draws or makes other artThe artist painted the mural in a week.
- attorneynounB2a lawyer, especially one who speaks for someone in courtYou should talk to an attorney before you sign.
- avaricenounC2an extreme desire for money or wealthThe bankers’ avarice helped cause the crisis.
B
- banknounA1a business that keeps and lends moneyI need to go to the bank to pay this check.
- benefitnounB1a good result or advantage that you get from somethingRegular exercise has many health benefits.
- billnounA2a statement of how much you must pay for somethingDid you pay the electricity bill?
- boardnounA2a flat piece of wood or other material used for a purposeThe teacher wrote the answer on the board.
- budgetnounB1the amount of money you have or plan to spendWe have a budget of $500 for the trip.
- businessnounA1the activity of buying, selling or making things for moneyShe works in the fashion business.
- buyverbA1to get something by paying money for itI bought a new laptop yesterday.
C
- campaignnounB1a planned set of activities to achieve a goal, such as winning an electionThe campaign raised money for clean water.
- candidatenounB1a person who is trying to be chosen for a job or elected to a positionThree candidates applied for the manager’s job.
- capitalnounA2the city where a country’s or state’s government is basedTokyo is the capital of Japan.
- careernounB1the series of jobs a person does over their working life, usually in one areaHe began his career as a teacher.
- chargeverbB1to ask for an amount of money for somethingThe hotel charges $20 a night for parking.
- coachnounA2a person who trains a sports team or helps someone improve a skillOur coach makes us run every morning.
- commercialadjectiveB1connected with buying and selling things or making moneyThe film was a huge commercial success.
- commissionnounC1an official group given the job of investigating or controlling somethingA commission was set up to investigate the accident.
- companynounA1a business that makes or sells goods or servicesShe works for a software company.
- computernounA1an electronic machine that stores information and runs programsI spend all day working on a computer.
- conferencenounB1a large formal meeting where people discuss a subject, often over several daysShe spoke at a conference on climate change.
- conscientiousadjectiveC1careful to do your work well and do what is rightShe is a conscientious student who never misses a deadline.
- consumernounB1a person who buys goods or services for their own useConsumers are spending less on clothes.
- contractnounB2a formal written agreement that can be enforced by lawRead the contract carefully before you sign it.
- costverbA1to have a particular priceHow much does this jacket cost?
- crewnounB2all the people who work on a ship, plane or trainThe pilot and crew welcomed passengers on board.
- customernounA2a person or business that buys things from a shop or companyThe store gives free coffee to its customers.
D
- dealnounB1an agreement, especially in businessThe two companies signed a deal yesterday.
- designnounA2the way something is planned and made, or a drawing that shows thisI love the design of their new phone.
- developmentnounB1the process of growing, changing or becoming more advancedSleep is important for a child’s development.
- directornounA2a person who manages a company or organizationShe is the sales director at a large firm.
- dispatchverbC1to send someone or something to a place for a purposeAn ambulance was dispatched to the scene.
- doctornounA1a person trained to treat sick or injured peopleYou should see a doctor about that cough.
E
- economicadjectiveB1connected with trade, industry and money in a countryThe country is going through an economic crisis.
- economynounB1the system of trade, industry and money in a country or regionTourism is important to the local economy.
- employeenounB1a person who is paid to work for a company or another personThe company has more than 500 employees.
- endowverbC2to give a large amount of money to a school, hospital or other institutionShe endowed a scholarship at her old university.
- establishverbB2to start a company, organization or system that will last a long timeThe school was established in 1890.
- executivenounB2a person with an important job managing a company or organizationShe is a senior executive at a tech company.
- experiencenounA2knowledge or skill you get from doing something for a long timeDo you have any experience working with children?
- expertnounB1a person with special knowledge or skill in a subjectWe asked a computer expert to fix the problem.
- exploitverbC1to treat someone unfairly to gain an advantage for yourselfThe company exploited its workers with low pay.
- extravagantadjectiveC1spending much more money than is reasonableBuying a new car every year is extravagant.
F
- financialadjectiveB1connected with money or the management of moneyMany students have financial problems.
- firenounA1the flames, heat and light made when something burnsThe fire destroyed three houses.
- firmnounB1a company or business, especially one that offers a serviceShe works for a law firm in Chicago.
- fundnounB2an amount of money saved or collected for a purposeThe school set up a fund to repair the gym.
G
- generateverbB2to produce or create something such as energy, income or interestThe wind farm generates enough power for 10,000 homes.
- grantverbB2to officially give or allow something someone has asked forThe bank granted us a loan.
- growthnounB1an increase in size, amount or importanceThe city has seen rapid population growth.
I
- industrynounB1the making of goods in factoriesThe town grew quickly when industry arrived.
- interestnounA2the feeling of wanting to know more about somethingHe has a strong interest in history.
- interviewnounA2a formal meeting where someone is asked questions, for example for a jobI have a job interview on Friday.
- investmentnounB1putting money into something to make a profitBuying a house can be a good investment.
L
- labornounB2work, especially hard physical work, or the workers who do itThe country has a shortage of skilled labor.
- lawyernounA2a person whose job is to give legal advice and represent people in courtYou should talk to a lawyer before signing the contract.
- lossnounB1the fact of no longer having somethingMany workers fear the loss of their jobs.
M
- manageverbB1to succeed in doing something difficultWe managed to finish the project on time.
- managementnounB1the control and organization of a business or activityGood time management is important for students.
- managernounA2a person who is in charge of a business, department or teamI asked to speak to the store manager.
- marketnounA1a place where people buy and sell goods, often outdoorsWe buy fresh fish at the market.
- materialnounB1a substance used for making thingsWood is a common building material.
- meetingnounA2an event where people come together to discuss or decide thingsWe have a team meeting every Monday morning.
- missionnounB2an important job, often involving travel, that someone is sent to doThe astronauts returned safely from their mission.
- modelnounA2a small copy of something, such as a building or vehicleMy son built a model of a plane.
- monetaryadjectiveC1connected with money, especially a country’s money supplyThe central bank sets monetary policy.
- moneynounA1coins, notes or digital amounts you use to buy thingsI don’t have enough money for a new car.
N
O
- objectivenounB2something you plan to achieve; an aimOur main objective is to cut costs.
- officenounA1a room or building where people work at desksI get to the office at nine.
- officernounB1a police officerThe officer asked to see my license.
- oilnounA2a thick liquid from plants or animals used in cookingFry the onions in a little olive oil.
- operationnounB1the process of cutting into someone’s body to repair or remove somethingShe needs an operation on her knee.
- opportunitynounB1a time or situation when you can do something you wantThis job is a great opportunity to travel.
- organizationnounB1a group such as a company, club or charity with a shared purposeShe works for an organization that helps refugees.
- ownernounB1a person who owns somethingThe owner of the shop is very friendly.
P
- partnernounA2the person you are married to or in a relationship withAre you bringing your partner to the party?
- payverbA1to give money for something you buy or for work doneI paid twenty dollars for this shirt.
- performancenounB1the act of performing a play, piece of music or showThe evening performance starts at eight.
- policynounB1a set of plans or rules agreed by a government, company or groupThe company has a strict no-smoking policy.
- pooradjectiveA1having very little moneyHe grew up in a poor family.
- positionnounB1the place where someone or something is, or the way they are sitting or standingMark the position of each chair on the floor plan.
- predecessornounC1a person who had a job before someone elseThe new CEO praised her predecessor.
- pricenounA1the amount of money you must pay to buy somethingGas prices went up again this month.
- produceverbB1to make or grow something, especially in large amountsThe region produces most of the country’s wine.
- productnounA2something that is made or grown to be soldThe company launched three new products this year.
- productionnounB1the process of making or growing things, or the amount madeOil production fell by ten percent.
- professionaladjectiveB1connected with a job that needs special training or skillYou should get professional advice before investing.
- projectnounA2a planned piece of work with a particular goalWe’re working on a group project about climate change.
- projectionnounB2an estimate of a future amount or situation based on present informationSales projections for next year look strong.
- propertynounB1things that someone ownsThe hotel is not responsible for guests’ personal property.
- prowessnounC2great skill or ability in a particular activityHe is known for his prowess on the tennis court.
R
- reportnounA2a spoken or written description of an event or situationI have to finish the sales report by Friday.
- resourcenounB1something useful, such as money, people or materials, that you can useThe school doesn’t have enough resources for new computers.
- responsibilitynounB1a duty to take care of someone or something as part of your job or roleIt’s my responsibility to lock up the office.
- richadjectiveA1having a lot of money or propertyHe became rich by selling his company.
- rolenounB1the job or function someone or something has in a situationParents play a key role in a child’s education.
- runverbA1to move fast on your feetI run three miles every morning.
S
- saveverbA2to keep someone or something safe from danger or harmThe firefighter saved a child from the fire.
- sellverbA1to give something to someone in exchange for moneyWe sold our old car last week.
- senioradjectiveB1having a higher rank or more experience in a jobShe is a senior manager at the bank.
- serveverbA2to give food or drink to someone, especially in a restaurantBreakfast is served from 7 to 10.
- servicenounA2the help that staff give to customers in a store, hotel, or restaurantThe food was good, but the service was slow.
- skillnounA2an ability to do something well, usually learned through practiceGood communication skills are important in this job.
- spendverbA1to use money to pay for thingsI spent too much money on clothes.
- staffnounB1all the people who work for an organizationThe hotel staff were very friendly.
- stakenounC1a share in a business or an interest in what happensThe firm bought a 20% stake in the airline.
- standardnounB1a level of quality that is expected or reachedThe hotel has very high standards.
- stipulateverbC2to state clearly that something must be done, especially in a contract or ruleThe contract stipulates that payment must be made within thirty days.
- stocknounB2the goods a store has available to sellSorry, that model is out of stock.
- storenounA1a building or room where things are soldI need to go to the grocery store.
- strategynounB2a careful plan for reaching a goal, usually over a long timeThe company needs a new marketing strategy.
- successnounA2the result of reaching a goal or doing something wellHard work is the key to success.
- successfuladjectiveA2achieving what you wanted or plannedThe meeting was very successful.
- systemnounA2a set of connected parts or methods that work togetherThe city has a good public transportation system.
T
- tasknounA2a piece of work that must be doneMy first task is to answer these emails.
- taxnounB1money that people and businesses must pay to the governmentThe price includes sales tax.
- teachernounA1a person whose job is to teach, especially in a schoolOur math teacher is very patient.
- teamnounA1a group of people who play a sport together against another groupWhich team do you support?
- technologynounA2scientific knowledge used to make machines and tools, or the machines themselvesNew technology makes our lives easier.
- toilverbC2to work very hard for a long time, usually doing tiring physical workMiners toiled underground for twelve hours a day.
- toutverbC2to praise or promote something to persuade people it is good or importantThe new drug was touted as a miracle cure.
- tradenounB1the buying and selling of goods between people or countriesTrade between the two countries is growing.
- trainingnounA2the process of learning the skills for a job or activityNew staff get two weeks of training.