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Business Word/Phrase of the Day

word-phrase-descEvery day we publish a business word or phrase together with audio pronunciation, phonetics, definition and example sentences. This is a great way to improve your workplace vocabulary as well as your pronunciation. To receive 'Business Word/Phrase of the Day' by email, just subscribe to our newsletter from the link above. 

LOAN /loʊn/

noun or verb

  • A loan is a written or oral agreement for a temporary transfer of a property (usually cash) from its owner (the lender) to a borrower who promises to return it according to the terms of the agreement, usually with interest for its use.
  • If you loan something, such as money, to someone, you lend it to them. You expect them to return it later to you.
Example Sentences:The bank gave me a loan of $3,000.
Can you loan me $10?
 

CONFERENCE kɒnfərəns

Noun

  • an event, sometimes lasting a few days, at which there are a group of talks on a particular subject, or a meeting in which especially business matters are discussed formally.
Example Sentence: They frequently hold conferences at that hotel. This week there’s a conference on marketing in China.

 

 

BACKPACKING bækˌpækɪn

Verb

  • go travelling usually on a small budget carrying all your possession in a backpack.
Example Sentence: Many students spend a year or two backpacking, through Asia or South America, after they complete their university study.

 

 

BROCHURE broʊˈʃʊər

Noun

  • a magazine that advertises a company's products or services.
Example Sentence: I saw some holiday brochures on the table. Are you going away?
 

GET DOWN TO BUSINESS  

Phrase

  • start doing the thing that you intend to do.
Example Sentence: Let's get down to business! What is the first item on the agenda?
 

SCARCE skɛərs

Adjective

  • not enough of something available, especially a resource.
Example Sentence: Water is scarce in some regions of Africa.
 

INNOVATE ɪnəˌveɪt

Verb

  • to create, develop or design new technology or products.
Example Sentence: The mobile phone industry constantly needs to innovate.
 

COMMISSION kəˈmɪʃən

Noun

  • money which is paid when somebody achieves certain targets.
Example Sentence: The salary is average but they can earn commission on top.
 

TURN UP tɜrn ʌp

Phrasal Verb

  • appear.
Example Sentence: Did your glasses ever turn up?
 

DRAW UP drɔ ʌp

Phrasal Verb

  • make first version.
Example Sentence: My lawyer is drawing up a draft of the contract.
 

SLOWDOWN sloʊˌdaʊn

Noun

  • when something becomes less active and less is produced.
Example Sentence: They forecast a slowdown in UK economic growth.
 

COMMODITY kəˈmɒdɪti

Noun

  • something that can be bought or sold, e.g. a resource or product.
Example Sentence: Primary commodities tend to be produced in poorer countries.
 

BOARD bɔrd

Noun

  • a group of people who are responsible for making decisions.
Example Sentence: The corporation is run by a Board of Governors.
 

SPYWARE /ˈspaɪ.weər/

noun

  • a computer program that watches what people do with their computers, and then sends that information over the Internet
Example Sentences:If you believe your computer is infected, you should also carry out a full anti-virus scan and run two or three malware and spyware cleaners, such as AdAware, Spybot and Malwarebytes.
There is an email going around containing spyware which searches for passwords on your computer and send the information out to the spyware creators.
 

RETIREMENT /rɪˈtaɪə.mənt/

noun

  • when you leave your job and stop working, usually because you are old
Example Sentences:The retirement age for men in the UK is 65.
We wish you a long and happy retirement.
 
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