What does tycoon mean?
A tycoon is a businessman or businesswoman who has accumulated exceptional wealth and power, especially through a major industry or a chain of businesses. The term commonly appears in journalism and public discourse in combinations such as oil tycoon, media tycoon, and retail tycoon, where it identifies both the person’s commercial success and their social or political influence. Although tycoon can sound neutral in a headline, it often carries a dramatic or faintly critical undertone, suggesting not merely success but concentration of power. In ordinary conversation, business magnate or industrialist may be preferred because they can sound less emphatic. Tycoon is especially useful when the focus is an individual whose wealth and influence are themselves notable. It is also the word to choose when describing a powerful business figure without implying that every wealthy entrepreneur is a tycoon.
nounA wealthy and powerful businessman or businesswoman, especially one whose success and influence are associated with a major industry or business empire.
- A wealthy and powerful businessman or businesswoman, especially one whose fortune and influence arise from a particular industry or business empire.
"The media tycoon donated part of her fortune to fund arts education."
"The oil tycoon was widely respected for creating thousands of jobs."
"Novelists often portray a ruthless tycoon whose business success depends on exploiting other people."
The standard plural refers to multiple wealthy and powerful business figures.
"The two tycoons joined forces to create a new media company."
The word now associated with business empires began as a Chinese title meaning “great ruler.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tycoon come from?
The word entered English in the late eighteenth century from a Chinese title commonly romanized as taikun, meaning “great ruler.” Its original English sense referred to a powerful or influential person in China; during the nineteenth century it became established for a wealthy and powerful businessman. The romanized source is commonly analyzed as tai, meaning “great,” and koan or koon, meaning “ruler.”
How tycoon is actually used
The word is neutral to formal in journalistic usage but often has a dramatic or faintly critical undertone, emphasizing exceptional wealth, influence, or power. It is generally used of established business figures rather than ordinary entrepreneurs.
Easily confused with tycoon
A tycoon is a wealthy and powerful business figure, whereas a typhoon is a powerful tropical storm.