Definition

1. Noun:
   • The legal owner of a business or property: A "proprietor" is a person who has the legal title to and owns a business establishment, such as a shop, hotel, or company. This term often implies direct ownership and management.
   • A holder of property rights: In a broader legal sense, a "proprietor" is someone recognized by law as the possessor of something.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The proprietor of the bookstore is very knowledgeable about rare editions.
  • As the sole proprietor, she is responsible for all the company's debts and decisions.
  • The hotel proprietor greeted us personally at the entrance.

Advanced Usage

• "Sole proprietor": This is a specific business structure where a single individual owns and runs the entire business, bearing full legal and financial responsibility.
  • He operates his consulting firm as a sole proprietor.
• "Proprietor of record": The person officially listed as the owner in legal or public documents.
  • The deed lists her as the proprietor of record for the land.

Variants and Related Words

• Proprietorship (n): The state or right of being a proprietor; often used in the term "sole proprietorship."
  • She chose a sole proprietorship for her new business for its simplicity.
• Proprietary (adj): Relating to an owner or ownership; or, manufactured and sold by a particular company under its exclusive rights.
  • The software uses a proprietary file format.

Synonyms

• Owner: The most general term for someone who owns something.
• Holder: One who possesses or holds a title or right.
• Possessor: One who has possession or control of something.

Antonyms

• Tenant: A person who rents or leases property from an owner.
• Employee: A person hired to work for a proprietor or company.

Related Phrases

• "At the proprietor's discretion": Subject to the owner's personal judgment or choice.
  • Refunds are given at the proprietor's discretion.
• "Landed proprietor": An owner of a significant amount of land, often historical.
  • The landed proprietor owned most of the village.

Noun

1. (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
   • he is the owner of a chain of restaurants