Business English Vocabulary
20 professional business terms with meanings, example sentences, and free interactive games — ideal for B1–B2 learners.
What You'll Learn
- ✅ 20 key business terms used in meetings, emails, and reports
- ✅ The difference between formal and informal register in professional English
- ✅ How to write a professional email using correct structure and fixed phrases
- ✅ High-frequency finance words — revenue, profit, budget, and profit margin
Business English is one of the most sought-after varieties of English for adult learners worldwide. Whether you work in an international company, attend meetings in English, write professional emails, or are preparing for a business English qualification such as BEC or TOEIC, having a strong professional vocabulary is essential.
This page covers 20 key business vocabulary words, carefully selected for their high frequency across a wide range of business contexts — from finance and management to marketing and communication. Each word includes its meaning and a natural example sentence showing how it is used in a professional setting.
Business English vocabulary is also closely connected to grammatical structures used in formal writing: passive voice ("the report was submitted"), modal verbs for politeness ("I would appreciate your feedback"), and formal transitions ("Furthermore, the data suggests..."). Learning vocabulary in context helps you absorb these structures naturally.
After studying these terms, explore Jobs and Professions vocabulary for role-specific titles, and read our Business English Phrases blog article for phrases used in meetings, emails, and presentations.
Word List
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| meeting | a gathering of people to discuss business matters | The weekly team meeting starts at 9am every Monday. |
| deadline | the latest time by which a task must be completed | We have a tight deadline — the report is due by Friday. |
| proposal | a formal plan or suggestion submitted for consideration | She submitted a detailed proposal for the new marketing campaign. |
| contract | a legal agreement between two or more parties | Both parties signed the contract at the end of the negotiation. |
| invoice | a document sent to a client requesting payment for goods or services | Please send the invoice to our accounts department. |
| budget | the amount of money set aside for a specific purpose | The project was completed under budget. |
| revenue | the total income generated by a business | Annual revenue grew by 15% compared to last year. |
| profit | the financial gain after all costs have been deducted | The company reported a record profit this quarter. |
| client | a person or organisation that uses the services of a business | We have an important client presentation this afternoon. |
| colleague | a person you work with | She asked her colleague to review the report before sending it. |
| strategy | a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term goal | The new business strategy focuses on expanding into Asian markets. |
| presentation | a formal talk or display given to an audience | He gave a compelling presentation to the board of directors. |
| negotiate | to discuss something to reach an agreement | We need to negotiate better terms with the supplier. |
| agenda | a list of items to be discussed at a meeting | Please review the agenda before tomorrow's meeting. |
| feedback | information given about someone's performance to help them improve | Her manager gave her positive feedback on the project. |
| headquarters | the main office or centre of operations of a company | The company's headquarters are in London. |
| merger | the combining of two companies into one | The merger created the largest bank in the country. |
| stakeholder | a person or group with an interest in a company's activities | All stakeholders were consulted before the decision was made. |
| workforce | all the people employed by a company or industry | The company plans to expand its workforce by 20% next year. |
| profit margin | the percentage of revenue that represents profit | The company improved its profit margin by reducing costs. |
Practice with These Exercises
Flash Cards
Review business terms with spaced repetition
Match Up
Match business words to their definitions
Quiz
Test your business vocabulary knowledge
Flip Tiles
Flip tiles to reveal business word meanings
Practice What You've Learned
LexFizz has 30 free interactive exercises — no sign-up needed.
Browse All Exercises →Related Vocabulary Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Business English and why is it important?
Business English refers to the vocabulary, phrases, and communication styles used in professional and commercial contexts: meetings, emails, reports, negotiations, and presentations. It is important because it is the de facto language of international business. Even if English is not your first language, professional English communication skills can open doors to career advancement and global opportunities.
What are the most important business English words to learn first?
Focus first on high-frequency words that appear across all business contexts: meeting, deadline, contract, client, budget, revenue, presentation, and feedback. These words appear in business emails, reports, and conversations daily. Once you know these, add more specialised terms for your specific industry — finance, marketing, IT, or HR vocabulary.
What is the difference between 'revenue' and 'profit'?
Revenue is the total income a business receives from selling goods or services before any costs are deducted. Profit is what remains after all costs (salaries, rent, materials) have been subtracted from revenue. A company can have high revenue but low profit if its costs are high. 'Gross profit' is revenue minus cost of goods sold; 'net profit' is after all expenses.
What is the difference between formal and informal register in Business English?
Register refers to the level of formality in language. In Business English, formal register is used in written reports, official emails, and presentations: "I would like to request...", "Please find the attached document." Informal register is used in messages to close colleagues: "Can you send me the file?", "Let's catch up later." Knowing when to switch between registers — and never using informal language with a senior client — is one of the most important skills in professional English.
What are the most useful Business English phrases for meetings?
Opening: 'Let us get started.', 'The purpose of today's meeting is...' Asking for opinions: 'What do you think about this?', 'Does anyone have any concerns?' Agreeing: 'That is a good point.', 'I agree with your suggestion.' Closing: 'To summarise...', 'Our next steps are...' Practise these alongside vocabulary using Flash Cards and Quiz exercises.
What is the difference between 'client' and 'customer'?
A 'client' typically has a professional service relationship with a company — a law firm's client, an advertising agency's client. A 'customer' usually buys goods: a supermarket customer, a restaurant customer. In practice, the words overlap in many sectors. 'Client' is more formal and suggests an ongoing or professional relationship, while 'customer' is more transactional.
What formal phrases replace informal language in business emails?
Many learners use informal language in professional writing without realising it. Here are key upgrades: instead of "I want to know about...", use "I would like to enquire about..."; instead of "Can you send me...", use "Could you please forward..."; instead of "I'm sorry I can't make it", use "I regret to inform you that I am unable to attend." Learning these formal alternatives is essential for written Business English at B1–B2 level and for Cambridge BEC and TOEIC writing tasks.
What qualifications test Business English?
The Cambridge BEC (Business English Certificate) tests reading, writing, listening, and speaking at Preliminary (B1), Vantage (B2), and Higher (C1) levels. TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) is widely used by employers to assess professional English ability. IELTS General Training is also accepted by many employers. Each test has specific vocabulary and task types worth practising.
What does 'stakeholder' mean in business?
A stakeholder is any person or group that has an interest in — or is affected by — a company's activities. Internal stakeholders include employees, managers, and shareholders. External stakeholders include customers, suppliers, government bodies, and the local community. In Business English, 'stakeholder engagement' (consulting and communicating with stakeholders) is an increasingly important concept.
How do you write a professional business email in English?
Structure: Subject line (clear and specific), Opening (Dear Mr/Ms [Name]), Purpose ('I am writing to...'), Body (details), Action ('Please find attached...', 'I would appreciate your response by...'), Closing ('Kind regards,' / 'Yours sincerely,'). Avoid informal language: use 'I would like to' not 'I wanna', 'Please find attached' not 'Here you go'. Keep sentences short and direct.