What is company? Pronunciation and usage in English

company means . Learn how to pronounce and use company through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of company

companynoun

/ˈkʌmp(ə)ni/
Definition & pronunciation of company

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "company" in English. It's a tricky one! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈkɒm.pə.ni/ (Think: "comb-puh-nee")

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. ˈkɒm: This is the first syllable.

    • "comb" – The "o" makes a short, almost rounded "uh" sound (like in "bomb"). It’s not a long "o" like in "go."
    • "m" – Pronounce this like the letter "m."

  2. pə: This is the second syllable.

    • "puh" – This is a short, unstressed "uh" sound (like in "cup"). It's often almost silent.

  3. ni: This is the third syllable.

    • "knee" – Pronounce this like the word "knee."

Key things to note:

  • Stress: The emphasis is on the first syllable ("comb"). That's why it starts with a capital letter.
  • "a" sound: The "a" in "company" sounds like the "a" in "cat" or "hat," not like the "a" in "say."

Resources to hear it:

Practice Tip: Say it slowly at first: "Comb-puh-nee." Then gradually speed up.

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Usage and examples with the word company in English

Let's break down how to use the word "company" in English. It’s a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown by category:

1. As a Business Organization (Most Common)

  • Definition: A group of people organized for a specific purpose, usually to make money – a business.
  • Examples:
    • "I work for a large company in the tech industry."
    • "Our company is developing a new app."
    • "She started her own company after leaving her job."
    • "The company’s profits increased last quarter."
    • “Did you hear about the merger between the two companies?”

2. As a Companion/Associate

  • Definition: A person you spend time with, often a friend. This is a less formal usage.
  • Examples:
    • "I went to the movies with a company of friends." (a group of friends)
    • "She’s always traveling with a company of people."
    • "I felt lonely, but I was happy to have a company." (a companion)

3. As a Group of Things (Usually Related)

  • Definition: A collection of items that are associated with each other.
  • Examples:
    • “A company of soldiers marched down the street.” (a group of soldiers)
    • "A company of bells rang out." (a collection of bells)
    • "He keeps a company of models in his workshop." (a collection of models)

4. Legal and Formal Contexts (Less Common)

  • Limited Company: This refers to a specific type of business structure:
    • "They operate as a limited company." (meaning their liability is limited to the company's assets)

Key Nuances and How to Choose the Right Meaning:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "company" almost always comes from the context of the sentence.
  • Formal vs. Informal: Using "company" to describe a business is generally formal. Using it as a companion is informal.

Here's a table to summarise:

Meaning Example
Business Organization “She works for a large company.”
Companion/Associate “I went to the movies with a company of friends.”
Group of Items “A company of bells rang out.”
Legal Structure (Ltd) “They operate as a limited company.”

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of sentence are you trying to write? (e.g., "I'm writing a business proposal," or "I'm talking about a social gathering?")

Synonyms for the word company

Idioms of the word company

the company somebody keeps
the people that somebody spends time with
  • Judging by the company he kept, Mark must have been a wealthy man.
  • John's mother was worried about the company he kept.
get into/keep bad company
to be friends with people that others think are bad
  • They worried about their teenage son getting into bad company.
  • He got into bad company and got involved in drugs.
in company with somebody/something
(formal)together with or at the same time as somebody/something
  • She arrived in company with the ship's captain.
  • The US dollar went through a difficult time, in company with the oil market.
in good company
if you say that somebody is in good company, you mean that they should not worry about a mistake, etc. because somebody else, especially somebody more important, has done the same thing
  • If you worry about your relationship with your teenage son or daughter, you are in good company. Many parents share these worries.
keep somebody company
to stay with somebody so that they are not alone
  • I'll keep you company while you're waiting.
  • I'll stay and keep you company.
part company (with/from somebody)
to leave somebody; to end a relationship with somebody
  • This is where we part company (= go in different directions).
  • The band have parted company with their manager.
  • The band and their manager have parted company.
  • He parted ways with the team at the end of the season.
to disagree with somebody about something
  • Weber parted company with Marx on a number of important issues.
  • The two leaders parted ways on this question.
present company excepted
(informal)used after being rude or critical about somebody to say that the people you are talking to are not included in the criticism
  • The people in this office are so narrow-minded, present company excepted, of course.
two’s company (, three’s a crowd)
(saying)used to suggest that it is better to be in a group of only two people than have a third person with you as well

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