Company means a business or the state of being with people.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A business or organization.
- The state of being with others.
- People you spend time with.
Overview
The word 'company' has two primary meanings. Firstly, it refers to a commercial enterprise, such as a firm, corporation, or partnership, that engages in business activities. This is its most common usage in professional and economic contexts. For example, 'Apple is a technology company' or 'He works for a small consulting company.' This meaning emphasizes the organizational and economic aspect of a business.
Secondly, 'company' denotes the state of being with others, or the people themselves with whom one spends time. This usage is more social and personal. For instance, 'I enjoy your company' means 'I enjoy being with you.' Similarly, 'She's looking for some company' means she wants someone to be with her. This sense highlights companionship and social interaction.
Usage Patterns
The business meaning is prevalent in formal and neutral contexts, particularly in written communication like business reports, news articles, and official documents. It's also common in spoken business discussions. The social meaning is more common in informal and everyday spoken English, though it can appear in literature and more formal expressions of politeness.
Common Contexts
In the workplace, 'company' almost exclusively refers to the business entity. In daily life, it can refer to friends, family, or even pets when discussing companionship. For example, 'The company of good friends is valuable' uses the social meaning, while 'The company's profits increased last quarter' uses the business meaning. Understanding the context is key to interpreting the correct meaning of 'company.'
Examples
He works for a large software company.
businessÉl trabaja para una gran empresa de software.
I prefer the company of quiet people.
socialPrefiero la compañía de personas tranquilas.
The company announced its quarterly earnings.
formalLa compañía anunció sus ganancias trimestrales.
She asked her friend to keep her company while she studied.
informalElla le pidió a su amiga que le hiciera compañía mientras estudiaba.
Many small companies struggle to compete.
businessMuchas pequeñas empresas luchan por competir.
The children enjoyed the company of their grandparents.
everydayLos niños disfrutaron de la compañía de sus abuelos.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
in good company
en buena compañía
keep me company
hazme compañía
start a company
fundar una empresa
Often Confused With
A corporation is a specific legal type of company, often with limited liability for its owners. 'Company' is a more general term.
A 'companion' is a person who accompanies someone or is a friend, whereas 'company' can refer to the state of being with people or a business entity.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word 'company' has two main meanings: a business entity and the state of being with others. Context is crucial for understanding which meaning is intended. The business meaning is more formal, while the social meaning is generally informal.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse the two meanings or use 'company' in contexts where a more specific term like 'corporation' or 'firm' would be appropriate for a business.
Tips
Distinguish Meanings
Pay attention to the context to know if 'company' refers to a business or companionship.
Avoid Ambiguity
In formal writing, be clear whether you mean a business entity or social presence to avoid confusion.
Hospitality
Offering 'company' to a guest is a sign of hospitality in many cultures, showing you value their presence.
Word Origin
From Old French 'compagnie,' meaning 'fellowship, association, company of soldiers, business firm.' It derives from Latin 'com-' (together) and 'panis' (bread), originally referring to those who share bread together.
Cultural Context
In many cultures, inviting someone into your home and offering them your 'company' is a significant gesture of hospitality and friendship.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'com-pany' as a group of people working together (business) or a group of people you are 'com'-ing with (social).
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsA corporation is a specific legal structure for a business, while 'company' is a broader term that can include corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships.
Yes, historically, a 'company' could refer to a unit of soldiers within an army, though this is less common in modern everyday usage.
Yes, in standard English, 'company' functions exclusively as a noun.
It means to stay with someone to provide companionship, especially if they are lonely or need support.
No, 'company' refers to a business entity or the presence of other people, not a single individual.
The plural is 'companies,' referring to multiple business organizations.
It refers to the organization itself, its employees, or its operations, e.g., 'The company picnic' or 'He represents the company.'
It refers to the pleasantness of being with someone, e.g., 'I enjoyed your company last night.'
While the business and social meanings are primary, it can also refer to a group of actors or a military unit, but these are less frequent.
A startup company is a newly established business, typically one that is innovative and aims for rapid growth.
Test Yourself
I really enjoyed your ____ last night at the party.
'Company' here refers to the pleasantness of being with someone.
What does 'company' mean in this sentence?
In this sentence, 'company' refers to a business organization established to sell goods.
is / a / tech / growing / company / This
This arrangement forms a grammatically correct sentence describing a business.
Score: /3
Summary
Company means a business or the state of being with people.
- A business or organization.
- The state of being with others.
- People you spend time with.
Distinguish Meanings
Pay attention to the context to know if 'company' refers to a business or companionship.
Avoid Ambiguity
In formal writing, be clear whether you mean a business entity or social presence to avoid confusion.
Hospitality
Offering 'company' to a guest is a sign of hospitality in many cultures, showing you value their presence.
Examples
6 of 6He works for a large software company.
Él trabaja para una gran empresa de software.
I prefer the company of quiet people.
Prefiero la compañía de personas tranquilas.
The company announced its quarterly earnings.
La compañía anunció sus ganancias trimestrales.
She asked her friend to keep her company while she studied.
Ella le pidió a su amiga que le hiciera compañía mientras estudiaba.
Many small companies struggle to compete.
Muchas pequeñas empresas luchan por competir.
The children enjoyed the company of their grandparents.
Los niños disfrutaron de la compañía de sus abuelos.
Quick Quiz
Sarah decided to start her own software ____ after working in the industry for ten years.
Correct!
The correct answer is: company
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