What does dealmaking mean?
Dealmaking is the activity of negotiating and bringing agreements to completion, particularly in business, politics, and entertainment. As an uncountable noun, it describes not any single bargain but the craft of brokering them — reading counterparts, weighing concessions, and knowing when to commit or walk away. The word appears constantly in journalism and biography: executives, legislators, and agents alike are praised for their dealmaking prowess, and phrases like "political dealmaking" or "backroom dealmaking" are firmly established. Its connotation shifts with context. In boardrooms it suggests competence and shrewdness; in political commentary it can hint at compromise, horse-trading, or even secrecy. Though built from two plain English words — "deal" and "make" — it crystallized into its modern sense only in the twentieth century, reflecting the growing prominence of the negotiator as a distinct figure in modern commerce.
nounThe activity or practice of negotiating and concluding agreements, especially in business, politics, or entertainment. It refers to the process by which deals are brokered rather than the deals themselves.
- The activity of negotiating and concluding agreements, especially commercial, political, or professional ones.
- (Informal) The practice of striking bargains or compromises more generally, often with a suggestion of pragmatism or opportunism.
"After decades of dealmaking in Silicon Valley, she had an unmatched instinct for when to walk away from a negotiation."
"His reputation for tough dealmaking made him the obvious choice to lead the merger negotiations."
"Legislative progress in a divided congress often comes down to quiet, unglamorous dealmaking."
The word 'dealmaking' didn't exist for most of English history — it emerged only in the 20th century as business itself became a spectator sport.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does dealmaking come from?
Dealmaking is a compound formed within English from the verb "make" and the noun "deal," which descends from Old English "dǣl" meaning a part or portion, related to the verb "dǣlan," to divide or distribute; it shares this ancient Germanic root with words such as "dole." While both elements are ancient, the compound itself arose much later, gaining currency in the twentieth century as negotiated transactions became central to modern business culture.
How dealmaking is actually used
Dealmaking is an uncountable noun used almost exclusively in the singular. It carries a neutral-to-positive connotation in business contexts (skillful negotiation) but can turn mildly pejorative in phrases like "backroom dealmaking," suggesting secretive or self-interested bargaining. It is common in journalism about business, politics, and Hollywood.
Easily confused with dealmaking
"Dealing" refers broadly to trading or behaving toward others (and can imply shady traffic, as in drug dealing), while "dealmaking" specifically means negotiating and concluding agreements.