What does incorporated mean?

Pronunciation

/ɪkˈɔr.pɔrˌteɪd/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun, Verb

Definition

A business entity that has been formally registered with the government and has its own legal identity, separate from its owners or shareholders.

Examples

• The company became incorporated and started issuing stocks.
• She registered her business as an incorporated entity to protect her personal assets.

Synonyms

• Company
• Corporation

Antonyms

• Unincorporated
• Sole Proprietorship

Etymology

The word “incorporated” comes from the Latin “corpus,” meaning body, and “incorporate,” meaning to join or unite.

Usage Notes

When referring to a business, “incorporated” is often used to distinguish it from an unincorporated entity, such as a partnership or sole proprietorship. When referring to a person, “incorporated” means to have their name added to a document or record.

Cultural References

The term “incorporated” has been referenced in popular culture, such as in the TV show “Parks and Recreation” where the character Leslie Knope mentions incorporating her business.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

“Incorporated” is often used in idiomatic expressions such as “incorporate into the team” or “become incorporated as a business.”

Related Words or Phrases

• Company
• Corporation
• Business

Collocations

• Incorporated company
• Incorporated into

Frequency of Use

The word “incorporated” is commonly used in business and financial contexts, but less frequently in everyday conversation.

Common Misspellings

• Incorperate
• Incorperated