better business bureau: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal / Business / Official
Quick answer
What does “better business bureau” mean?
A North American non-profit organization that provides consumer protection and accreditation for businesses, focusing on marketplace trust through dispute resolution and reliability reporting.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A North American non-profit organization that provides consumer protection and accreditation for businesses, focusing on marketplace trust through dispute resolution and reliability reporting.
A member-based organization that sets standards for ethical business behavior, accredits businesses that meet these standards, and offers consumer services like complaint handling, business reviews, and scam alerts. It operates through local chapters in the US and Canada.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The BBB is a North American institution. In the UK and other Commonwealth countries, there is no direct equivalent, but functions are performed by entities like the Citizens Advice Bureau, Trading Standards, or the Advertising Standards Authority.
Connotations
In North America, it connotes an official-sounding watchdog for consumer rights and business ethics. Outside North America, the term may be recognized but understood as a foreign institution.
Frequency
High frequency in US/Canadian business and consumer contexts; very low frequency in UK English, used only when discussing North American affairs.
Grammar
How to Use “better business bureau” in a Sentence
[business/consumer] + verb (contact/report/file) + with + the Better Business BureauThe Better Business Bureau + verb (investigates/accredits/warns) + [entity/activity][Entity] + is + accredited by + the Better Business BureauVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “better business bureau” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The company was reported to the Better Business Bureau.
American English
- We need to Better Business Bureau that contractor for their shady practices.
adjective
British English
- Look for the Better Business Bureau accreditation logo.
American English
- It's a BBB-accredited service provider.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used when discussing company accreditation, ethical compliance, or handling customer disputes.
Academic
Appears in business ethics, consumer law, or marketing studies discussing self-regulation.
Everyday
Used by consumers checking a company's reputation or filing a complaint about a product/service.
Technical
Specific to North American consumer affairs and business accreditation systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “better business bureau”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “better business bureau”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “better business bureau”
- Using lowercase ('better business bureau') when referring to the specific organization.
- Treating it as a plural ('The Better Business Bureau are...'). It's singular.
- Using 'a Better Business Bureau' – it's a unique entity, typically 'the BBB'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a private, non-profit organization, not a government entity.
It does not have legal or law enforcement powers. Its influence comes from its accreditation system and public reporting.
No, it operates in the United States and Canada through local chapters.
It means the business has agreed to adhere to the BBB's standards for trust, which include being responsive to customers, advertising honestly, and being transparent.
A North American non-profit organization that provides consumer protection and accreditation for businesses, focusing on marketplace trust through dispute resolution and reliability reporting.
Better business bureau is usually formal / business / official in register.
Better business bureau: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbetə ˈbɪznəs ˈbjʊərəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɛɾɚ ˈbɪznɪs ˈbjʊroʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Get the BBB seal of approval.”
- “It has the BBB stamp.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A Bureau for Better Business' – three B's helping businesses behave better.
Conceptual Metaphor
BUSINESS ETHICS IS A SEAL OF APPROVAL (e.g., 'They have the BBB seal').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of the Better Business Bureau?