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company

n. C / U
A1 Beginner Oxford US //ˈkəmpəˌni// UK //kˈʌmpəni// com·pa·ny Archaic General-service Informal

n. a business that makes or sells things to earn money. It can also mean the people you spend time with so you are not alone.

n. a commercial business or enterprise; alternatively, the condition of being with others for social interaction. Both senses are common, though the commercial sense is more frequent in formal writing.


SIMPLE

She works for a large software company in the city.

CONTEXTUAL

After the long hike, they enjoyed each other's company while sitting around the campfire.

COMPLEX

The board of directors decided to restructure the company to improve efficiency, while the CEO emphasized that maintaining a culture of good company among staff remained a priority.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English companye (“a team; companionship”), from Old French compaignie (“companionship”) (Modern French: compagnie), possibly from Late Latin *compania, but this word is not attested. Old French compaignie is equivalent to Old French compaignon (Modern French: compagnon) + -ie. More at companion. Displaced native Old English werod, gefer, getæl, and hired.

Usage

Countable when referring to a business entity; uncountable when referring to the presence of other people.

Pitfall

I have a lot of companies tonightI have a lot of company tonightWhen referring to guests or social presence, the word is uncountable and does not take a plural form.

Idioms6 entries

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