annual report: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
High frequency (in business/finance contexts). Medium frequency (in general contexts).Formal, professional. Predominantly used in business, finance, legal, and organizational settings.
Quick answer
What does “annual report” mean?
A formal document prepared by a company or organization once every year, detailing its activities, financial performance, and condition over the preceding 12 months.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A formal document prepared by a company or organization once every year, detailing its activities, financial performance, and condition over the preceding 12 months.
More broadly, it can refer to any yearly summary of activities and progress issued by an entity (e.g., a charity, university department, or government agency), though it most strongly implies a corporate financial context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or core usage. Spelling within the document may follow regional conventions (e.g., BrE 'labour', AmE 'labor'). The regulatory frameworks (e.g., Companies House in UK, SEC in US) differ, but the term 'annual report' is standard in both.
Connotations
Identical. Carries connotations of legal obligation, corporate transparency (or lack thereof), and shareholder communication.
Frequency
Equally frequent and essential in both varieties within the business domain.
Grammar
How to Use “annual report” in a Sentence
[Company/Organization] publishes/files/submits an annual report.The annual report [details/contains/shows] [performance/finances].According to the/annual report...in its annual reportVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “annual report” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The board will annual report their findings. (Note: 'Annual report' is not a verb. Correct: 'The board will report annually.')
American English
- The company annual reported last week. (Incorrect usage. Correct: 'The company issued its annual report.')
adverb
British English
- The data is reported annual. (Incorrect. Correct: 'The data is reported annually.')
American English
- They publish annual. (Incorrect. Correct: 'They publish annually.' or 'They publish an annual report.')
adjective
British English
- We are in the annual report preparation phase.
- The annual report deadline is approaching.
American English
- The annual-report mailing is scheduled for April.
- She is the annual report coordinator.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Primary context. A legally required document for public companies, presented to shareholders and regulators.
Academic
Used when discussing business studies, corporate governance, or accounting. A university department might also produce an annual report on its activities.
Everyday
Rare, except for individuals involved in investing, management, or non-profit work.
Technical
Specific in accounting, auditing, and corporate law, referring to the formal, audited document.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “annual report”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “annual report”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “annual report”
- Using plural verb for singular concept: 'The annual report are published...' (incorrect) vs. '...is published...' (correct).
- Confusing with 'annual meeting' (AGM) where the report is presented.
- Spelling: 'anual report' (missing an 'n').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, etc.) are a core, legally required part of an annual report. The annual report is a broader document that includes these statements along with management commentary, operational review, and other narrative sections.
It is typically prepared by the company's management and finance team, in collaboration with its auditors (for the financial statements), legal counsel, and often a design agency for the presentation.
Yes. Many charities, NGOs, and non-profit organisations produce annual reports to showcase their activities, impact, and finances to donors, trustees, and the public, though the regulatory requirements differ from public companies.
For companies with a December year-end, annual reports are typically published and filed in the first quarter (Q1) of the following year (e.g., a report for 2023 published in early 2024). The exact deadline depends on national regulations.
A formal document prepared by a company or organization once every year, detailing its activities, financial performance, and condition over the preceding 12 months.
Annual report is usually formal, professional. predominantly used in business, finance, legal, and organizational settings. in register.
Annual report: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæn.ju.əl rɪˈpɔːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæn.ju.əl rɪˈpɔːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The numbers are in (referring to report publication)”
- “Window dressing (negative, implying the report is made to look better than reality)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ANNUAL (like anniversary, yearly) + REPORT (like a school report card). It's the company's yearly 'report card' on its financial health.
Conceptual Metaphor
A COMPANY IS A PERSON / HEALTH. The annual report is a 'health check-up' or 'physical examination' of the company, diagnosing its financial health.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is MOST likely to be found in a standard corporate annual report?