Word
proprietor
Phoneticspro·pri·etor
US/pɹəˈpɹaɪətɝ/
UK/pɹəpɹˈaɪətɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. the owner of a business, such as a shop, hotel, or restaurant. You use this word when you want to sound more formal than just saying 'owner'.
n. the legal owner of a business establishment or property. Often used in legal or commercial contexts to specify the person with the right of possession.
Examples
“The proprietor of the small bookstore greeted us at the door.”
“After the original proprietor retired, his daughter took over the management of the family hotel.”
“The local newspaper interviewed the proprietor of the historic inn to discuss the challenges of maintaining a heritage building in the modern economy.”
Examples
simple
“The proprietor of the small bookstore greeted us at the door.”
contextual
“After the original proprietor retired, his daughter took over the management of the family hotel.”
complex
“The local newspaper interviewed the proprietor of the historic inn to discuss the challenges of maintaining a heritage building in the modern economy.”
Usage
More formal than 'owner'; frequently used in legal documents and business signage.
Real-World Examples
“Proprietors explain why more independent bookshops are springing up in our towns and cities.” “The change would be even harder for landscapers who work as sole proprietors, with a single vehicle and limited space for charging and storing equipment.” “The same was true of David Astor, proprietor and editor of the Observer - now sister paper to the Guardian, but then under separate ownership.” Etymology
Probably from proprietary + -or.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/proprietor