50 must-know business English vocabulary words for beginners

Learning Business English can feel overwhelming, but you don’t need to know thousands of words to start communicating at work. By focusing on the most common and practical terms, you can build a strong foundation. Below, you’ll find 50 essential Business English vocabulary words, grouped into useful categories with examples. These words will help you in meetings, emails, interviews, and workplace conversations.

1. Workplace basics

1. Company (/ˈkʌm.pə.ni/) – A business organization.
   Example: “She works for a software company.”

2. Department (/dɪˈpɑːrt.mənt/) – A section of a company with a specific role.
   Example: “I’m in the marketing department.”

3. Manager (/ˈmæn.ɪ.dʒɚ/) – A person who supervises a team.
   Example: “The manager will review the project.”

4. Employee (/ɪmˈplɔɪ.iː/) – A person who works for a company.
   Example: “The company has 200 employees.”

5. Colleague (/ˈkɑː.liːɡ/) – Someone you work with.
   Example: “I had lunch with my colleagues.”

2. Money and finance

6. Revenue (/ˈrev.ə.nuː/) – Total money a company earns.
   Example: “The company’s revenue increased last year.”

7. Profit (/ˈprɑː.fɪt/) – Money gained after costs.
   Example: “The business made a profit of $10,000.”

8. Loss (/lɑːs/) – When expenses are higher than income.
   Example: “They reported a loss this quarter.”

9. Budget (/ˈbʌdʒ.ɪt/) – A financial plan for spending.
   Example: “We have a small budget for this project.”

10. Invoice (/ˈɪn.vɔɪs/) – A bill for goods or services.
    Example: “Please send the invoice by email.”

3. Meetings and communication

11. Agenda (/əˈdʒen.də/) – A list of topics for a meeting.
    Example: “Let’s start with today’s agenda.”

12. Minutes (/ˈmɪn.ɪts/) – Notes from a meeting.
    Example: “She wrote the meeting minutes.”

13. Presentation (/ˌprez.ənˈteɪ.ʃən/) – A talk with visuals to explain something.
    Example: “He gave a presentation on sales results.”

14. Deadline (/ˈded.laɪn/) – The final time something must be done.
    Example: “The deadline for the report is Friday.”

15. Feedback (/ˈfiːd.bæk/) – Comments to improve performance.
    Example: “I received helpful feedback from my boss.”

4. Work processes

16. Task (/tæsk/) – A piece of work to do.
    Example: “My main task today is sending emails.”

17. Project (/ˈprɑː.dʒekt/) – A planned piece of work with goals.
    Example: “We’re working on a new project.”

18. Strategy (/ˈstræt̬.ə.dʒi/) – A long-term plan.
    Example: “The marketing strategy focuses on social media.”

19. Report (/rɪˈpɔːrt/) – A document with information.
    Example: “He finished the sales report.”

20. Proposal (/prəˈpoʊ.zəl/) – A suggestion or plan, often in writing.
    Example: “The manager approved the proposal.”

5. Human resources

21. Recruitment (/rɪˈkruːt.mənt/) – The process of hiring people.
    Example: “Recruitment takes place twice a year.”

22. Interview (/ˈɪn.t̬ɚ.vjuː/) – A meeting to discuss a job application.
    Example: “She has a job interview tomorrow.”

23. Salary (/ˈsæl.ɚ.i/) – Fixed payment for work, usually monthly.
    Example: “Her salary is competitive.”

24. Promotion (/prəˈmoʊ.ʃən/) – Moving to a higher job position.
    Example: “He got a promotion to team leader.”

25. Training (/ˈtreɪ.nɪŋ/) – Learning skills for work.
    Example: “The company offers training for new staff.”

6. Marketing and sales

26. Brand (/brænd/) – A company’s identity or image.
    Example: “Nike is a famous brand.”

27. Customer (/ˈkʌs.tə.mɚ/) – A person who buys a product or service.
    Example: “We value our customers.”

28. Market (/ˈmɑːr.kɪt/) – The area where products are sold.
    Example: “They are entering the Asian market.”

29. Product (/ˈprɑː.dʌkt/) – Something a company sells.
    Example: “The company launched a new product.”

30. Advertising (/ˈæd.vɚ.taɪ.zɪŋ/) – Promoting products to the public.
    Example: “They invested in online advertising.”

7. Technology and modern business

31. Email (/ˈiː.meɪl/) – Electronic message system.
    Example: “I received an email from my client.”

32. Online (/ˌɑːnˈlaɪn/) – Connected to the internet.
    Example: “The store sells products online.”

33. Software (/ˈsɑːft.wer/) – Computer programs.
    Example: “This software helps manage projects.”

34. Database (/ˈdeɪ.tə.beɪs/) – Organized information system.
    Example: “The customer database is updated weekly.”

35. Platform (/ˈplæt.fɔːrm/) – A digital system or service.
    Example: “LinkedIn is a professional networking platform.”

8. Negotiation and contracts

36. Deal (/diːl/) – An agreement between two sides.
    Example: “They made a deal with a supplier.”

37. Contract (/ˈkɑːn.trækt/) – A legal agreement.
    Example: “He signed a two-year contract.”

38. Terms (/tɜːrmz/) – The conditions of an agreement.
    Example: “We need to discuss the terms of the contract.”

39. Partnership (/ˈpɑːrt.nɚ.ʃɪp/) – A cooperative relationship.
    Example: “The two firms formed a partnership.”

40. Supplier (/səˈplaɪ.ɚ/) – A company that provides goods.
    Example: “The supplier delivered the products late.”

9. Business growth

41. Expansion (/ɪkˈspæn.ʃən/) – Growing a company.
    Example: “The company plans international expansion.”

42. Innovation (/ˌɪn.əˈveɪ.ʃən/) – Creating something new.
    Example: “Innovation drives business success.”

43. Competition (/ˌkɑːm.pəˈtɪʃ.ən/) – Rival businesses in the same market.
    Example: “There is strong competition in this sector.”

44. Market share (/ˈmɑːr.kɪt ˌʃer/) – The percentage of sales in a market.
    Example: “They increased their market share this year.”

45. Trend (/trend/) – A general direction of change.
    Example: “The latest trend is online shopping.”

10. Everyday business actions

46. Schedule (/ˈskedʒ.uːl/ in US, /ˈʃed.juːl/ in UK) – A timetable for tasks.
    Example: “Let’s check the schedule for next week.”

47. Appointment (/əˈpɔɪnt.mənt/) – A planned meeting.
    Example: “I have an appointment with a client.”

48. Order (/ˈɔːr.dɚ/) – A request to buy something.
    Example: “The customer placed a large order.”

49. Delivery (/dɪˈlɪv.ɚ.i/) – Sending goods to a customer.
    Example: “The delivery will arrive tomorrow.”

50. Service (/ˈsɝː.vɪs/) – Work provided to customers.
    Example: “They offer excellent customer service.”

Tips to remember business vocabulary long-term

• Group words by category (like above). It’s easier to recall “finance” words together.

• Use them in real sentences related to your work or study.

• Practice with flashcards or apps daily.

• Review regularly instead of learning once and forgetting.

• Speak and write actively: send practice emails, role-play meetings, or keep a journal.

By mastering these 50 words, you’ll already understand much of the language used in offices, meetings, and business communication.