Business vs. Profession: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 26, 2024
Business refers to commercial activities aimed at providing goods or services for profit. Profession is a vocation requiring specialized knowledge, often with formal qualifications.
Key Differences
Business involves commercial activities like buying and selling goods or services for profit. Profession requires specialized skills and knowledge in a field, often with a focus on individual service.
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Jan 26, 2024
Business often doesn't require formal educational qualifications but benefits from entrepreneurial skills. Profession typically requires specific educational qualifications and often, a license or certification.
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Jan 26, 2024
Business decisions are primarily driven by market dynamics and profit motives, though ethical practices are encouraged. Profession is governed by a strict code of ethics and standards set by professional bodies.
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Jan 26, 2024
Business usually requires capital investment for operations, growth, and sustainability. Profession focuses more on intellectual capital investment, though some financial investment may be necessary for training and certification.
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Jan 26, 2024
Comparison Chart
Nature of Work
Commercial activities for profit.
Specialized services based on knowledge.
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Qualification
No formal qualification necessary.
Requires formal education and qualifications.
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Ethical Code
Guided by market dynamics, with ethical practices.
Governed by strict professional ethics and standards.
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Capital Investment
Requires financial investment.
Focuses on intellectual investment.
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Risk and Reward
High financial risk, profit-driven.
Lower financial risk, reputation-driven.
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Business and Profession Definitions
Business
An organization engaged in commercial, industrial, or professional activities.
The new restaurant is a flourishing business.
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Profession
Engaging in a given activity as a source of livelihood or as a career.
Acting is her chosen profession.
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Business
The volume or amount of commercial activity.
Business has been slow this quarter.
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Profession
An open but often false declaration or claim.
His profession of innocence was doubted by many.
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Business
A matter or situation meriting attention.
Fixing this issue is serious business.
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Profession
A paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification.
Medicine is a highly respected profession.
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Business
The activity of buying and selling commodities, products, or services
New systems now being used in business.
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Profession
The act of declaring or publicly claiming a belief, faith, or opinion.
Her profession of love was unexpected.
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Profession
An occupation or career
"One of the highest compliments a child can pay a parent is to choose his or her profession" (Joan Nathan).
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Business
The variety of this activity in which a person is engaged
The wholesale food business.
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Profession
An occupation, such as law, medicine, or engineering, that requires considerable training and specialized study.
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Business
A specific occupation or pursuit
The best designer in the business.
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Profession
The body of qualified persons in an occupation or field
Members of the teaching profession.
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Business
A commercial enterprise or establishment
Bought his uncle's construction business.
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Business
Commercial dealings; patronage
Took her business to a trustworthy salesperson.
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Business
One's rightful or proper concern or interest
"The business of America is business" (Calvin Coolidge).
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Profession
(religion) A promise or vow made on entering a religious order.
She died only a few years after her profession.
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Business
An affair or matter
"We will proceed no further in this business" (Shakespeare).
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Profession
The declaration of belief in the principles of a religion; hence, one's faith or religion.
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Business
An incidental action performed by an actor on the stage to fill a pause between lines or to provide interesting detail.
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Profession
Any declaration of belief, faith or one's opinion, whether genuine or (as now often implied) pretended.
Despite his continued professions of innocence, the court eventually sentenced him to five years.
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Business
(Informal) Strong verbal criticism; scolding
Gave me the business for being late.
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Business
(Informal) Urination or defecation
The dog did its business on the lawn.
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Profession
An occupation, trade, craft, or activity in which one has a professed expertise in a particular area; a job, especially one requiring a high level of skill or training.
My father was a barrister by profession.
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Profession
(collective) The practitioners of such an occupation collectively.
His conduct is against the established practices of the legal profession.
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Business
(countable) A specific commercial enterprise or establishment.
I was left my father's business.
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Profession
The act of professing or claiming; open declaration; public avowal or acknowledgment; as, professions of friendship; a profession of faith.
A solemn vow, promise, and profession.
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Business
(countable) A person's occupation, work, or trade.
He is in the motor and insurance businesses.
I'm going to Las Vegas on business.
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Profession
That which one professed; a declaration; an avowal; a claim; as, his professions are insincere.
The Indians quickly perceive the coincidence or the contradiction between professions and conduct.
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Business
(uncountable) Commercial, industrial, or professional activity.
He's such a poor cook, I can't believe he's still in business!
We do business all over the world.
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Jan 05, 2024
Profession
That of which one professed knowledge; the occupation, if not mechanical, agricultural, or the like, to which one devotes one's self; the business which one professes to understand, and to follow for subsistence; calling; vocation; employment; as, the profession of arms; the profession of a clergyman, lawyer, or physician; the profession of lecturer on chemistry.
Hi tried five or six professions in turn.
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Jan 05, 2024
Business
(uncountable) The volume or amount of commercial trade.
Business has been slow lately.
They did nearly a million dollars of business over the long weekend.
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Profession
The collective body of persons engaged in a calling; as, the profession distrust him.
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Business
(uncountable) One's dealings; patronage.
I shall take my business elsewhere.
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Profession
The act of entering, or becoming a member of, a religious order.
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Business
(uncountable) Private commercial interests taken collectively.
This proposal will satisfy both business and labor.
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Profession
The body of people in a learned occupation;
The news spread rapidly through the medical community
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Business
(uncountable) The management of commercial enterprises, or the study of such management.
I studied business at Harvard.
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Profession
An occupation requiring special education (especially in the liberal arts or sciences)
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Business
(countable) A particular situation or activity.
This UFO stuff is a mighty strange business.
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Profession
An open avowal (true or false) of some belief or opinion;
A profession of disagreement
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Business
(countable) Any activity or objective needing to be dealt with; especially, one of a financial or legal matter.
Our principal business here is to get drunk.
Let's get down to business.
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Jan 05, 2024
Profession
Affirmation of acceptance of some religion or faith;
A profession of Christianity
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Business
(uncountable) Something involving one personally.
That's none of your business.
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Profession
The body of people in a learned occupation.
The profession of teaching requires patience.
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Business
Matters that come before a body for deliberation or action.
If that concludes the announcements, we'll move on to new business.
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Jan 05, 2024
Business
Business class, the class of seating provided by airlines between first class and coach.
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Business
(acting) Action carried out with a prop or piece of clothing, usually away from the focus of the scene.
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Business
Something very good; top quality. (possibly from "the bee's knees")
These new phones are the business!
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Business
The act of defecation, or the excrement itself, particularly that of a non-human animal.
Your ferret left his business all over the floor.
As the cart went by, its horse lifted its tail and did its business.
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Business
(slang) Disruptive shenanigans.
I haven't seen cartoons giving someone the business since the 1990s.
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Business
Of, to, pertaining to or utilized for purposes of conducting trade, commerce, governance, advocacy or other professional purposes.
Please do not use this phone for personal calls; it is a business phone.
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Business
Professional, businesslike, having concern for good business practice.
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Business
That which busies one, or that which engages the time, attention, or labor of any one, as his principal concern or interest, whether for a longer or shorter time; constant employment; regular occupation; as, the business of life; business before pleasure.
Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
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Jan 05, 2024
Business
Any particular occupation or employment engaged in for livelihood or gain, as agriculture, trade, art, or a profession.
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Business
Financial dealings; buying and selling; traffic in general; mercantile transactions.
It seldom happens that men of a studious turn acquire any degree of reputation for their knowledge of business.
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Business
That which one has to do or should do; special service, duty, or mission.
The daughter of the King of France,On serious business, craving quick despatch,Importunes personal conference.
What business has the tortoise among the clouds?
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Business
Affair; concern; matter; - used in an indefinite sense, and modified by the connected words.
It was a gentle business, and becomingThe action of good women.
BestowYour needful counsel to our business.
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Business
The position, distribution, and order of persons and properties on the stage of a theater, as determined by the stage manager in rehearsal.
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Business
A commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it;
He bought his brother's business
A small mom-and-pop business
A racially integrated business concern
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Business
The activity of providing goods and services involving financial and commercial and industrial aspects;
Computers are now widely used in business
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Business
Business concerns collectively;
Government and business could not agree
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Business
The volume of business activity;
Business is good today
Show me where the business was today
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Business
A rightful concern or responsibility;
It's none of your business
Mind your own business
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Business
The principal activity in your life that you do to earn money;
He's not in my line of business
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Jan 05, 2024
Business
An immediate objective;
Gossip was the main business of the evening
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Jan 05, 2024
Business
Incidental activity performed by an actor for dramatic effect;
His business with the cane was hilarious
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Jan 05, 2024
Business
The practice of making one's living by engaging in commerce.
She has been in the retail business for years.
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Jan 05, 2024
Business
Personal concern unrelated to others.
He always keeps his emotions strictly business.
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Jan 05, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is a profession the same as a job?
While all professions are jobs, not all jobs are professions. Professions typically require specialized education and qualifications.
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Jan 26, 2024
Can a business operate without profit?
Yes, some businesses, especially non-profits, operate with goals other than profit.
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Is experience important in a profession?
Experience is vital in a profession as it enhances skills and knowledge.
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What defines a business?
A business is an entity that engages in commercial, industrial, or professional activities, primarily for profit.
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Jan 26, 2024
Are ethics important in business?
Yes, ethical practices are crucial in business for sustainability and trust-building.
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Can anyone join a profession?
Entry into a profession usually requires specific qualifications and often, a license or certification.
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What is the role of innovation in business?
Innovation is key in business for staying competitive and meeting evolving market demands.
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How does a profession maintain its standards?
Professional standards are maintained through regulatory bodies and continuous education.
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What is a startup in the business world?
A startup is a newly established business, often characterized by rapid growth and innovation.
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Do all businesses need a physical location?
No, many businesses operate online or remotely without a physical storefront.
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What is the risk factor in starting a business?
Starting a business involves financial risk, market competition, and operational challenges.
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What is entrepreneurship in business?
Entrepreneurship refers to the process of starting, managing, and growing a business, often involving innovation and risk-taking.
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What is a business plan?
A business plan is a formal document outlining a business's goals, strategies, and financial projections.
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Is entrepreneurship considered a profession?
While entrepreneurship involves business activities, it is typically not classified as a traditional profession. However, some may refer to it as a profession in the context of entrepreneurship education.
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Jan 26, 2024
What is a professional organization?
A professional organization is an association that represents and supports individuals within a specific profession, offering networking, resources, and advocacy.
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Jan 26, 2024
Can someone have multiple professions?
Yes, individuals can have expertise in multiple fields and hold professional qualifications in more than one profession.
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What is continuous professional development (CPD)?
Continuous professional development is the ongoing process of acquiring new skills, knowledge, and expertise to stay current in one's profession.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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