startup
HighPrimarily business, technology, and informal professional; occasionally neutral when referring to the concept broadly.
Definition
Meaning
A newly established business, especially in the technology sector, characterized by innovative ideas, potential for rapid growth, and often seeking venture capital.
Refers to the process or act of starting a business; also used more loosely for any new enterprise or project in its initial, fast-moving phase.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often connotes a small, agile company with a disruptive business model. May imply venture-backed or bootstrapped. Can be used attributively (e.g., startup culture).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling variations exist: 'startup' (more common in US) and 'start-up' (more common/historic in UK) are both accepted. The closed compound 'startup' is now globally prevalent, especially in tech contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, strongly associated with tech/innovation hubs (Silicon Valley, London's 'Silicon Roundabout'). In UK business media, may sometimes have a slightly more formal tone.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both, especially in business/tech domains. US usage likely popularized the term globally.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[founder/team] + launch/found/run + a startup[startup] + secure/raise + funding[startup] + focus on/specialize in + [sector]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “From startup to scale-up”
- “The startup grind”
- “Move fast and break things (associated philosophy)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A startup seeking series A funding needs a clear path to profitability.
Academic
The study analysed the failure rates of startups within their first five years.
Everyday
My brother left his corporate job to work for a cool fintech startup.
Technical
The containerisation platform is ideal for startup environments due to its scalability.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They are looking to start up a new data analytics venture.
- It's challenging to start up in this economic climate.
American English
- We decided to start up a company focused on sustainable packaging.
- He's started up three businesses so far.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He works for a new startup.
- The startup has five employees.
- The tech startup received investment last month.
- Many startups fail in the first few years.
- After securing seed funding, the biotech startup began recruiting key staff.
- The startup's agile approach allowed it to outmanoeuvre larger competitors.
- The startup's disruptive business model challenged the industry's entrenched incumbents.
- Critics argue that the 'move fast and break things' startup ethos has significant societal downsides.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a rocket at the START, UP on the launchpad, ready for rapid ascent – like a new, fast-growing company.
Conceptual Metaphor
BUSINESS IS A JOURNEY/LAUNCH ('launch a startup', 'get a startup off the ground'); ORGANISM ('a fledgling startup', 'the startup ecosystem').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'начальный подъем'. The established equivalent is 'стартап' (loanword) or 'новый бизнес/проект'. Do not confuse with the general process of starting something ('запуск').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'startup' for any small business (it implies innovation/growth ambition). *'I opened a startup' (prefer 'I founded/launched a startup'). Overusing as a buzzword for any new project.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is the LEAST likely characteristic of a 'startup' in the modern sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'startup' and 'start-up' are used. The closed form (one word) is now dominant, especially in American English and global tech contexts. Dictionaries list both.
Not exactly. While loosely used, the term typically implies a business designed for rapid growth and scale, often based on an innovative product or service. A traditional small business (e.g., a new restaurant) is usually not labelled a startup.
A startup is focused on disruptive growth and scaling, often at a loss initially, to capture a large market. A small business typically aims for stable profitability serving a local/niche market without the same scale ambition.
No, but it is most strongly associated with tech due to Silicon Valley. The term is also applied to innovative companies in biotech, clean energy, finance (fintech), and other sectors with high-growth potential.
Collections
Part of a collection
Business Vocabulary
B1 · 50 words · Fundamental language of commerce and trade.
Innovation
B2 · 46 words · Language of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.