Business Management Vocabulary

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The defendant must answer for their actions in a court of law.
• You have to answer for missing the deadline.
• He's gonna have to answer for talking smack about her.
• As a leader, you must answer for the decisions you make.

noun a task or piece of work assigned to someone as part of their job or course of study

• The deadline for submitting the assignment is next Friday.
• I gotta finish my assignment by Friday.
• I need to wrap up my assignment by Friday.
• Completing this assignment is like climbing a mountain.

noun a person or group of people present at an event or meeting

verb to deal with or take charge of a task or responsibility

• The doctor must attend to all patients in the emergency room.
• I need to attend to my chores before going out with friends.
• I'll attend to that task later, no worries.
• She needs to attend to her emotions before making a decision.

noun a group of people who manage or direct a company or organization

verb to provide someone with meals and a place to sleep in exchange for payment

• Please make sure to sign the attendance sheet on the board before leaving the meeting room.
• Don't forget to write your name on the board so we know who's here.
• I saw your name on the board for the party next weekend, you coming?
• She's always one step ahead, like a chess piece on the board of life.

noun a person in charge of a worker or organization

verb to give orders to someone in a domineering manner

• The boss is expecting us to meet our quarterly targets.
• My boss is pretty cool, he lets us take long lunch breaks.
• I can't stand my boss, he's always on my case about everything.
• She's the boss when it comes to organizing events, no one does it better than her.

noun a narrow passage or point of congestion

verb none

adjective none

adverb none

pronoun none

preposition none

conjunction none

interjection none

article none

• The bottleneck in the production line caused delays in the shipment of the products.
• The bottleneck at the entrance made everyone late for the meeting.
• The bottleneck on the highway had us stuck in traffic for hours.
• Her perfectionism was a bottleneck to completing the project on time.

noun the group of trained personnel capable of forming the core of a larger organization

• The company's senior management cadre is responsible for making strategic decisions.
• The cadre of experienced employees is hosting a training session next week.
• I heard the cadre of cool kids is throwing a party this weekend.
• The cadre of loyal supporters stood by the politician through thick and thin.

noun the act of carrying out a task or action

verb to complete or fulfill a task or action

• The research team will carry out a series of experiments to test their hypothesis.
• I need to carry out some errands before we can leave for the party.
• Let's carry out this plan and see where it takes us.
• She always tries to carry out her responsibilities with grace and diligence.

noun a container designed to hold or protect something

verb to investigate and pursue legal action against someone

• In this particular case, we need to carefully analyze all the evidence before making a decision.
• Just in case you forget, I'll remind you to bring your umbrella with you.
• I can't believe she went to the party in that outfit, what a case!
• His constant lateness is becoming a real case of concern for his colleagues.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb to prepare for action by removing obstacles or unnecessary items

article a word that is used with a noun to specify grammatical definiteness of the noun

• Before starting the new project, it is important to clear the decks by finishing any outstanding tasks.
• Let's clear the decks before we head out for the weekend.
• We need to clear the decks before the party tonight.
• In order to focus on the important issues, we must clear the decks of any distractions.

verb to give an order or instruction

adjective having a dominant or authoritative presence

• The commanding officer led the troops into battle with precision and authority.
• The boss has a commanding presence in the office, everyone listens when they speak.
• That new rapper has a commanding flow, he's definitely going to make it big.
• The sunset painted a commanding presence over the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape.

noun a group of people appointed for a specific function or task, typically consisting of members of a larger group

• The committee will convene next week to discuss the proposed changes.
• I heard the committee is meeting up to talk about the new project.
• The committee is getting together to hash out the details.
• The committee acts as the beating heart of the organization, making important decisions to keep things running smoothly.

verb to combine several things into a single more effective or coherent whole

adjective formed or made by the combination of many different parts or people

• The company's financial statements included a consolidated balance sheet.
• All the data from the different departments was consolidated into one report.
• Let's consolidate all our notes before the exam.
• She consolidated her power by forming alliances with other leaders.

noun the act or state of continuing without interruption

• The court granted a continuance for the trial to allow more time for evidence to be presented.
• The teacher gave us a continuance on the deadline for our project.
• I asked for a continuance on my work deadline and my boss was cool about it.
• The continuance of rainy weather is starting to affect my mood.

noun a person in charge of a department or organization

• The air traffic controller guided the plane safely to the runway.
• I couldn't figure out how to use the game controller properly.
• He's the controller of the group, always making decisions for everyone.
• She felt like the controller of her own destiny, making choices that shaped her future.

noun an official order to revoke a previous one

verb to revoke or cancel (an order)

• The general issued a countermand to halt the troops' advance.
• I told him to cancel the order, but he countermanded me.
• She tried to countermand my plans, but I went ahead anyway.
• His sudden change of heart countermanded all previous agreements.

noun a person who behaves in a secretive or cowardly manner

verb to move slowly and stealthily in a particular direction

adverb in a stealthy or secretive manner

• The feeling of unease began to creep in as the deadline approached.
• I could sense a bit of doubt starting to creep in as we got closer to the presentation.
• I don't know why, but the thought of failure just started to creep in out of nowhere.
• As the sun set, a sense of melancholy seemed to creep in, casting a shadow over the evening.

verb to reduce in extent or quantity; to cut short

• The government decided to curtail spending in order to reduce the budget deficit.
• I had to curtail my shopping spree because I ran out of money.
• I had to curtail my Netflix binge to finish my homework.
• She felt like her wings were curtailed when her parents imposed strict rules on her.

verb to reduce in extent or quantity; to cut short

• The company curtailed its spending in order to improve profitability.
• I had to curtail my shopping spree because I ran out of money.
• My parents curtailed my freedom by grounding me for a week.
• Her dreams of becoming a professional dancer were curtailed by a knee injury.

noun a reduction in the amount or extent of something

verb to reduce the amount or extent of something

• The company had to cut back on expenses in order to stay afloat during the economic downturn.
• I need to cut back on shopping so I can save money for my vacation.
• I really need to cut back on the junk food, it's not good for my health.
• Sometimes you have to cut back on your social life in order to focus on your career goals.

noun the dead branches and other waste wood in a forest or on the ground

adjective no longer useful or productive; obsolete

• The deadwood in the company was eventually let go to improve efficiency.
• They finally got rid of all the deadwood at work.
• We need to cut out the deadwood from our team if we want to succeed.
• The deadwood in his life was weighing him down, holding him back from progress.

noun a person designated to act for or represent another or others; deputy; representative

verb to send or appoint (a person) as deputy or representative

• The delegate from the United States proposed a new resolution at the conference.
• I'll delegate the task to someone else since I don't have time to do it.
• Let's delegate this project to John, he'll get it done quickly.
• She decided to delegate her worries to the universe and focus on the present moment.

verb to transfer or delegate (power, responsibility, etc.) to a lower level, especially from central government to local or regional administration

• The decision to devolve power to local governments was met with mixed reactions.
• The responsibility for organizing the event will devolve onto me if no one else steps up.
• I'm not sure how this situation devolved into such a mess.
• As the argument escalated, it seemed to devolve into a shouting match.

noun the position or status of being a director, especially of a company or organization

• He was offered the directorship of the company after years of hard work and dedication.
• They gave him the directorship because he's been here the longest.
• He scored the directorship gig at the new startup.
• Taking on the directorship was like stepping into a whole new world of responsibility.

noun the action of depriving someone of power, rights, or possessions

• The company announced plans for divestment of its non-core assets.
• They're looking into divestment to streamline their business.
• I heard they're dumping some of their stuff through divestment.
• Sometimes divestment is necessary to let go of what's holding you back.

noun a mathematical operation that determines how many times one number is contained in another

verb to separate or split into parts or groups

• The political party's stance on the issue served to further divide the nation.
• Let's divide the tasks evenly so that everyone has a fair share.
• Don't worry, we'll divide up the pizza so everyone gets a slice.
• The artist used contrasting colors to visually divide the painting into different sections.

verb to divide or distribute something among a group of people

• The committee will divvy up the budget among the different departments.
• Let's divvy up the pizza so everyone gets a fair share.
• We need to divvy up the chores if we want to get this house cleaned.
• The team will divvy up the tasks to ensure a smooth project completion.

verb to continue for a long time in a tedious or tiresome manner

• The meeting seemed to drag on as the discussion went off topic multiple times.
• I can't believe how long that movie dragged on for, it felt like it would never end.
• The lecture was dragging on so we decided to sneak out early.
• The weight of her past mistakes seemed to drag on her, making it hard for her to move forward.

verb to bring about or cause something to happen

• The new policy aims to effectuate positive changes in the workplace.
• Let's work together to effectuate our plan.
• If we want to succeed, we need to really effectuate our goals.
• Her words had the power to effectuate a transformation in his mindset.

noun a person or group of people hired to work for an organization

verb to hire or engage the services of someone for a particular job or task

• The company decided to employ a new marketing strategy to increase sales.
• I heard they're looking to employ more staff at the restaurant.
• I'm gonna employ some serious skills to win this game.
• She knew how to employ her charm to get what she wanted.

noun a person employed for wages or salary, especially at a non-executive level

adjective relating to or characteristic of an employee

• The employee was commended for their dedication to the project.
• The employee got a raise for their hard work.
• That employee is a real go-getter.
• The employee was the backbone of the team.

noun a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• It is important to focus on the key objectives of the project to ensure its success.
• Hey, let's just focus on getting this task done before the deadline.
• Dude, can we just focus on chilling out and not stressing about work?
• In order to achieve your dreams, you must focus on the prize and not get distracted by obstacles.

noun the central point or essence of a matter

• The gravamen of the lawsuit is the alleged breach of contract.
• The main gravamen of the argument was about who should do the dishes.
• I don't want to deal with the gravamen of this issue right now.
• The gravamen of her sadness was the loss of her beloved pet.

noun a person's palm or the extremity of a limb

verb to pass or give something to someone else

• Please hand over the document to the receptionist.
• Hey, can you hand over the remote control?
• Yo, dude, hand over the cash!
• He finally decided to hand over control of the company to his daughter.

noun a harmonious combination or arrangement

verb to bring into agreement or harmony

• It is important for the team to harmonize their efforts in order to achieve the project goals.
• Let's all work together and harmonize our ideas to come up with a great plan.
• We need to get on the same page and harmonize our actions for this to work.
• The colors in the painting harmonize perfectly, creating a sense of peace and balance.

noun a word that functions as the name of a person, place, thing, or idea

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• It is not ethical to impose upon someone's hospitality without their consent.
• Don't impose upon your friend by staying at their house for too long.
• Stop trying to impose upon me, I have my own plans.
• The weight of his responsibilities began to impose upon him, causing stress and anxiety.

noun a person or thing that is inconsistent

adjective not staying the same in behavior or quality

• The data showed inconsistent results across all trials.
• Her performance has been really inconsistent lately.
• I can't stand his inconsistent behavior.
• The foundation of their relationship is inconsistent and shaky.

noun the state of holding a particular position, especially a political office

• The incumbent mayor is seeking reelection to continue his incumbency in office.
• The current boss is running for another term to stay in charge.
• The top dog is gunning for reelection to keep their spot.
• The incumbent's incumbency has been a steady ship in turbulent waters.

noun the quality of being intangible; the state of not being able to be touched or grasped

• The concept of intangibility is often discussed in the field of economics.
• It's hard to wrap your head around the intangibility of emotions.
• I can't believe the intangibility of the situation, it's so confusing.
• The intangibility of her dreams made them seem impossible to achieve.

noun the act or process of integrating

verb to combine or incorporate into a whole

• It is essential to integrate the new software system with the existing infrastructure.
• We need to integrate the new app with our current setup.
• Let's blend the new tool with what we already have.
• She found a way to seamlessly integrate her passion for art into her everyday life.

adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb by providing information on how an action is performed or how something is described

• He approached the problem intelligently, analyzing all possible solutions before making a decision.
• She always handles situations intelligently, thinking things through before acting.
• He's one of those guys who can always figure things out intelligently, no matter what the situation.
• The artist intelligently combined different colors and textures to create a visually stunning masterpiece.

noun the formal investing of a person with honors or rank

• The investiture ceremony was a grand event attended by dignitaries from around the world.
• I heard Sarah got her investiture yesterday, she must be so proud!
• Did you see that investiture ceremony? It was lit!
• The investiture of power into the new CEO marked a new era for the company.

noun a word that functions as the name of a specific person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or a state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

article a word that is used to specify a noun

• Please remember to keep an eye on the financial reports for any discrepancies.
• Hey, can you keep an eye on my bag while I go grab a drink?
• I told my friend to keep an eye on the new guy at work, he seems sketchy.
• As a parent, it's important to keep an eye on your child's social media activity for their safety.

verb to forcefully remove or eject someone or something from a place or situation

• The landlord has the right to kick out tenants who do not pay their rent on time.
• If you keep playing loud music late at night, your roommates might kick you out.
• I heard they're gonna kick out that troublemaker from the party tonight.
• She felt like life had kicked her out of the game, but she was determined to bounce back.

noun the quality or state of being lax; looseness, slackness, or lack of strictness

• The company's policy on safety does not tolerate any laxity in following procedures.
• There's no room for laxity when it comes to meeting deadlines around here.
• Don't be so lax about your responsibilities, man.
• His laxity in decision-making cost the team the game.

noun A center or core that controls or coordinates a system or activity, often used metaphorically to refer to a central location or headquarters

• The nerve center of the company is located in the main office building.
• The nerve center for all the action is the break room.
• The nerve center of the party was definitely the dance floor.
• The brain can be considered the nerve center of the body.

noun an excessive amount of something

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The oversupply of goods in the market led to a decrease in prices.
• There were too many products, so prices went down.
• We had an oversupply of stuff, so everything got cheaper.
• Her generosity was like an oversupply of kindness that warmed everyone's hearts.

noun a part or portion of something that has been divided or distributed

verb to divide or distribute something into parts or portions

• The company decided to parcel out the tasks among different departments.
• Let's parcel out the snacks so everyone gets an equal share.
• I'll parcel out the chores to my siblings so we can finish quickly.
• The teacher had to parcel out her attention to each student in the class.

noun a subdivision of a company of soldiers, typically consisting of two or more squads or sections

• The platoon was ordered to advance towards the enemy's position.
• The platoon is getting ready for their next mission.
• The platoon is gearing up for some action.
• The platoon of ideas in his mind were ready to be executed.

noun the actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method

verb to perform or repeatedly do something in order to improve or become proficient

adjective related to or involving practice or practical matters

preposition used to indicate the purpose or intended use of something

• Regular practice is essential for mastering any skill.
• I need to get more practice in before the big game.
• I've been putting in the practice to get better at playing guitar.
• Practice makes perfect, so keep working hard towards your goals.

verb to make ready or fit for a particular purpose or use

• It is important to properly prepare before giving a presentation.
• I need to prepare for my job interview tomorrow.
• I gotta prepare for this exam coming up.
• She spent hours preparing her heart for the news.

noun a change in the way something is organized or structured

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The company underwent a realignment of its departments to improve efficiency.
• We're going through a realignment at work, so things might be a bit chaotic for a while.
• The team had a realignment of roles, so now we're all doing something different.
• The realignment of priorities in his life led to a happier and more fulfilling existence.

noun the action of finding new people to join an organization or support a cause

• The recruitment process for the new position is underway.
• I heard they're doing recruitment for that job opening.
• Have you checked out the recruitment ads for cool job opportunities?
• In nature, the recruitment of new plants helps to maintain a healthy ecosystem.

noun the action of coming or going back to a place or person

verb go or come back to a place or person

• The company is expecting high returns on their investment.
• I can't wait to see the returns on this project.
• I'm hoping for some sweet returns on this deal.
• As winter approaches, the leaves will soon make their returns to the trees.

noun a race or competition in which people run

verb to operate or be in charge of something

adjective having a long, uninterrupted series

adverb in a quick or swift manner

• The marathon runners will start their run at 6 AM sharp.
• Let's go for a quick run around the park before it gets dark.
• I'm gonna go for a run to clear my head.
• The project is on the run to meet the deadline.

verb to consider appropriate or suitable

adverb in a manner that is appropriate or suitable

• The board of directors will decide how to allocate the funds as they see fit.
• You can use the conference room for your meeting if you see fit.
• Just do whatever you see fit, man.
• She painted the canvas with bold strokes, letting her creativity guide her as she saw fit.

adjective describing something that occurs twice a year

adverb in a way that occurs twice a year

• The company conducts semiyearly performance reviews to assess employee progress.
• We have semiyearly team meetings to discuss our goals and objectives.
• I hate those semiyearly check-ins with my boss, they're so boring.
• The changing of the seasons can be seen as a semiyearly reminder of the passage of time.

adjective describing a situation where there are not enough people or resources available

• The company was shorthanded after several employees called in sick.
• We're shorthanded today, so everyone needs to pitch in and help out.
• We're totally shorthanded for the big event tomorrow, so we need all hands on deck.
• His argument was shorthanded and lacked the necessary evidence to support his claims.

noun the act or process of making something simpler or easier to understand

adjective serving to make something simpler or easier to understand

• The simplification of the tax code is a top priority for the government.
• They're working on simplifying the tax code to make it easier to understand.
• They're trying to dumb down the tax code to make it less confusing.
• The simplification of the process will streamline our operations and make things run more smoothly.

verb to move out of the way or step aside

adverb aside (in this context, indicating the direction of movement)

• Please stand aside and let the paramedics through.
• Hey, can you stand aside so I can grab something from the shelf?
• Yo, dude, stand aside and make some room for the rest of us.
• Sometimes we need to stand aside and let others take the spotlight.

verb to fasten or secure with a knot or string

adjective busy or occupied with something

adverb in a state of being fastened or secured with a knot or string

• The suspect was tied up and taken into custody by the police.
• I can't go out tonight, I'm all tied up with work.
• I was so tied up in traffic that I missed my appointment.
• Her emotions were all tied up in the decision she had to make.

noun A person who keeps track of time, such as an official in a sports game or a clock in a workplace.

• The timekeeper at the event ensured that all activities ran according to schedule.
• The timekeeper made sure we didn't run late for the meeting.
• I'll be the timekeeper for our study session, so we stay on track.
• In a way, our body's internal clock acts as a natural timekeeper for our daily routines.

noun a state of being out of equilibrium or lacking balance

• The unbalance in the financial market caused a ripple effect throughout the economy.
• Her sudden outburst unbalanced the whole group.
• Dude, that skateboard trick was so sick, it totally unbalanced me.
• The unexpected news unbalanced his emotions, leaving him feeling overwhelmed.

adjective showing a lack of initiative or willingness to undertake new projects

• The company's unenterprising approach to new markets has hindered its growth potential.
• She's so unenterprising, always sticking to the same routine.
• He's just too unenterprising to take any risks.
• The unenterprising soil yielded very little crops this season.

noun a part of a system or chain that is the most vulnerable or susceptible to failure

• The team identified the weak link in the project and worked to strengthen it.
• Tom is always the weak link when it comes to group projects.
• Sally is the team's weak link, always dragging everyone down.
• The old equipment was the weak link in our production line, causing delays and inefficiencies.

adjective Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment

adverb In a way that shows good judgment or intelligence

• It is important to invest wisely in order to secure your financial future.
• Make sure you spend your money wisely and don't waste it on unnecessary things.
• Dude, you gotta choose your battles wisely in order to come out on top.
• She wisely chose her words before speaking, knowing the impact they could have on the situation.

noun The word 'underperformance' is a noun that refers to the act of performing at a level that is below expectations or standards.

• The company's underperformance in the third quarter has raised concerns among investors.
• The team's underperformance lately is really disappointing.
• I can't believe the underperformance of that player in the game yesterday.
• Her underperformance in the role was like a dark cloud hanging over the production.

noun A shortened form of the word 'system', often used in the context of technology or computer systems.

• The Sys module in Python provides access to some variables used or maintained by the interpreter.
• You can use the Sys module to get information about the Python interpreter.
• Sys is like a behind-the-scenes ninja for Python.
• In the world of programming, Sys is like the gatekeeper to the interpreter's secrets.

noun a customer account that is of high value or strategic importance to a company

• The key account manager is responsible for maintaining relationships with the company's most important clients.
• The key account rep handles all the big clients for the company.
• The key account guru knows how to keep the VIP clients happy.
• In a business, key accounts are like the crown jewels that need to be protected and nurtured.

noun a type of chair with arms and a back, typically used for relaxation or comfort

• The armchair quarterback criticized the team's play-calling decisions from the comfort of his living room.
• Don't be such an armchair quarterback, get out there and show us how it's done!
• Stop being a couch potato and acting like an armchair quarterback.
• He's always quick to offer his opinion, but he's just an armchair quarterback when it comes to actually doing the work.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

conjunction a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses

• The company implemented new policies and change in order to improve efficiency.
• I heard they're making some updates and change to the website.
• Let's shake things up and change the game plan.
• Sometimes you have to embrace uncertainty and change in order to grow.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

• In agriculture, it is often said that much cattle, much care is required to ensure their well-being and productivity.
• Taking care of a large number of cattle requires a lot of effort and attention - much cattle, much care!
• When you've got a bunch of cows to look after, you better believe it's much cattle, much care!
• Just like tending to a herd of cattle, managing a large project requires much attention and care - much cattle, much care.

verb to gradually reduce the strength or effectiveness of something through sustained attack or pressure

• The company decided to attrit a portion of its workforce in order to cut costs.
• I heard they're going to attrit some employees next month.
• They're attritting people left and right over there.
• Constant stress can attrit a person's mental health over time.

noun an official record of financial transactions

adjective referring to the most recent status or balance of an account

• Please submit your account current for review by the finance department.
• Make sure to update your current account before the deadline.
• Don't forget to check your account status before it's too late.
• Keeping your account current is like staying on top of your financial game.

verb to provide an explanation or justification for something

preposition used to indicate that something has been taken into consideration or included in a calculation

• The accountant ensured that every expense was properly accounted for in the financial statements.
• I made sure to account for all the money I spent on my trip.
• I totally forgot to account for the drinks we bought last night.
• Her dedication to her work accounted for her success in the company.

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The board of directors carefully considered the proposal before they acted upon it.
• I finally acted on my friend's advice and booked a vacation to Hawaii.
• After much debate, we finally decided to act on the plan and crash the party.
• His emotions were building up inside him until he finally acted upon them and burst into tears.

noun A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'actions' refers to the things that a person does or the way in which something is done.

• The company's actions are being closely monitored by regulators.
• Her actions speak louder than words.
• Don't worry about his actions, he's just trying to impress everyone.
• His actions painted a vivid picture of his true intentions.

adjective relating to the management or organization of something

adverb relating to the way in which something is managed or organized

• The decision was made administratively by the board of directors.
• The paperwork was processed administratively without any issues.
• They handled the situation administratively like pros.
• She navigated the complexities of the project administratively, ensuring smooth progress.

noun a noun is a word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance, or quality. In this case, 'aftergame' is a noun that refers to the period of time following a game.

• The team gathered for a meeting to discuss the aftergame analysis.
• Let's grab some pizza and talk about the aftergame.
• I can't wait to chill with the squad aftergame.
• The aftergame of life is just as important as the main event.