Business English for Work and

Careers: 50 words you need to

know
VOCABULARIES AND TERMINOLOGIES
50 Words you need to know

 As English is considered by many as the global

working language, its daily use has become
essential for an increasing number of business
professionals.
 The more English vocabulary you know and the
more up-to-date it is, the better. 
50 Words you need to know

 Most people are already familiar with specific

terminology used in their field, but general
business vocabulary can be more of a challenge.
 Here are 50 common words/phrases that will help
you get by:
50 Words you need to know

 team-player (n)  - someone who cares more about helping a group or

team to succeed than about his or her individual success.
 collaborate (v) / collaborative (adj) / collaboration (n) -
work jointly on an activity, especially to produce or create
something.
produced or conducted by two or more parties working together.
the action of working with someone to produce or create something.
50 Words you need to know

 coworking / shared workspace (n) - are workstations rented by remote

employees, freelancers, gig workers, consultants, and anyone else who may not
have a central office—one space for one individual.
 start-up (n) - the action or process of setting something in motion.
 entrepreneur (n)  - a person who organizes and operates a business or
businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.
 multinational (n) - a company operating in several countries.
50 Words you need to know

• disruption (n) / disruptive (adj) 

disturbance or problems which interrupt an event, activity, or process.
causing or tending to cause disruption.
• gig economy (n) - a labor market characterized by the prevalence of short-term
contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs.
• budget (n/v) 
an estimate of income and expenditure for a set period of time.
allow or provide a particular amount of money in a budget.
50 Words you need to know

• diversify (v) diversification (n) 

enlarge or vary the range of products or the field of operation of (a business).
the process of a business enlarging or varying its range of products or field of
operation.
• expand (v) / expansion (n)
become or make larger or more extensive.
the action of becoming larger or more extensive.
50 Words you need to know

 freelance (n)  - working for different companies at different times

rather than being permanently employed by one company.
 consultant (n) / to consult (v) / consulting (n) 
a person who provides expert advice professionally.
seek information or advice from (someone with expertise in a
particular area).
a meeting with an expert or professional, such as a medical doctor, in
order to seek advice.
50 Words you need to know

 skill set (n)  - a person's range of skills or abilities.

 launch (n/v)  - start or set in motion (an activity or enterprise). introduce (a new product or
publication) to the public for the first time.
 revenue (n)  - income, especially when of a company or organization and of a substantial
nature.
 sector (n)  - an area or portion that is distinct from others.
 invest (v) / investment (n) 
expend money with the expectation of achieving a profit or material result by putting it
into financial plans, shares, or property, or by using it to develop a commercial venture.
the action or process of investing money for profit or material result.
50 Words you need to know

 leadership (n) / lead (v)  - the action of leading a group of people or an

organization. Organize and direct.
 deadline (n)  - the latest time or date by which something should be completed.
 core business (n)  - the business activity that is main source of a
company’s profits and success, usually the activity that the company
was originally set up to carry out
 go into administration (v)  - the direct running of the business is temporarily
transferred to an Administrator appointed by the court.
50 Words you need to know

 added value (n)  - the difference between the price of a product or

service and the cost of producing it. 
 emerging markets (n)  - is the economy of a developing nation that
is becoming more engaged with global markets as it grows.
 agenda (n) - a list of items to be discussed at a formal meeting.
 sustainability (n) / sustainable (adj) - meeting our own needs
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs. Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
50 Words you need to know

 outsource (v) / outsourcing (n) / insourcing (n)  - obtain (goods or a service) from an
outside or foreign supplier, especially in place of an internal source.  An arrangement in
which work is done by people from outside your company, usually by a company that is
expert in that type of work. The practice of subcontracting work to another company that is
under the same general ownership.
 merger (n) / merge (v)  - a combination of two things, especially companies, into one.
Combine or cause to combine to form a single entity.
 takeover (n) / take over (v)  - an act of assuming control of something, especially the
buying out of one company by another. Assume control of something.
50 Words you need to know

 crowdfunding (n)  - the practice of funding a project or venture by raising many

small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the internet.
 board of directors (n)  - is an elected group of individuals that represent
shareholders.
 brand awareness (n)  - refers to the familiarity of consumers with a particular
product or service.
 staff (n)  - all the people employed by a particular organization.
 impact (n)  - the effect or influence of one person, thing, or action, on another.
50 Words you need to know

 capital (n)  - the excess of a company's assets over its liabilities.

 close a deal (v)  - to make an agreement official.
 creditor (n) - a person or company to whom money is owed.
 conference call (n)  - a telephone call in which someone talks to 4 or more people at the
same time.
 competitor (n) / compete (v) / competition (n)  - an organization or country engaged in
commercial or economic competition with others. Strive to gain or win something by
defeating or establishing superiority over others who are trying to do the same. The person
or people with whom one is competing, especially in a commercial or sporting arena; the
opposition.
50 Words you need to know

 retailer (n)  - a person or business that sells goods to the public in relatively small
quantities for use or consumption rather than for resale.
 economies of scale (n)  - a proportionate saving in costs gained by an increased level of
production.
 HR / Human Resources (n) - used to describe both the people who work for a company
or organization and the department responsible for managing all matters related to
employees, who collectively represent one of the most valuable resources in any
businesses or organization. 
 network (n/v)  - a group or system of interconnected people or things. Interact with others
to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
50 Words you need to know

 project (n)  - an individual or collaborative enterprise that is carefully planned to

achieve a particular aim.
 go public (v)  - refers to when a company undertakes its initial public offering, or
IPO, by selling shares of stock to the public, usually to raise additional capital.
 shareholder (n)  - is a person, company, or institution that owns at least one share
of a company's stock, known as equity. 
 stakeholder (n) - a party that has an interest in a company and can either affect or
be affected by the business.
50 Words you need to know

 digital strategy (n)  - is the application of digital technologies to

business models to form new differentiating business capabilities. 
 overheads (n) - refers to the ongoing business expenses not directly
attributed to creating a product or service. 
 balance sheet (n) - is a financial statement that reports a company's
assets, liabilities, and shareholder equity.
Conclusion

 Think about how you can use these expressions in your

working life (e.g. in a meeting, presentation, interview...)
and don’t forget to pay attention to collocations. And use
them in your speaking and writing whenever possible to
sound like a pro!
Reference

 https://www.londonschool.com/blog/business-english-work-and-careers-50-words-you-
need-know/