Company vs. Corporate: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 6, 2024
Company is a business entity formed by a group of people. Corporate is pertaining to a large business or organization.
Key Differences
A company is an entity formed by individuals, shareholders, or stakeholders, with the purpose of operating a business. It can range from small local businesses to large multinational corporations. The term 'corporate', on the other hand, refers to characteristics or qualities that are typical of a large company, especially a multinational one. It often implies a certain level of formality and structure.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
In terms of legal structure, a company is recognized as a separate legal entity that can enter into contracts, sue, and be sued. It is responsible for its own debts and obligations. 'Corporate', however, describes the attributes or culture of a large business. This includes their governance, management style, and operational approaches. It is not a legal entity but rather a descriptive term.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
The size and scope of a company can vary widely. Some are small, family-owned businesses, while others are large public companies. 'Corporate', in contrast, typically implies a larger, often multinational, scope with a complex hierarchy and a formalized business strategy.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
A company is established with the primary goal of conducting business activities for profit. This can include selling goods or services. The term 'corporate' is often associated with business strategies that prioritize profitability, growth, and market dominance, reflecting a more aggressive and structured approach to achieving business goals.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Finally, the term 'company' is neutral, simply referring to a business entity. 'Corporate', however, can carry cultural implications, often being associated with a formal, perhaps bureaucratic, and sometimes impersonal business environment.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An organized group of people with a particular purpose.
Pertaining to a corporation, especially a large one.
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Jan 06, 2024
Legal Status
A legal entity in its own right.
A descriptive term, not a legal status.
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Jan 06, 2024
Size and Scope
Can range from small to large.
Usually associated with larger entities.
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Jan 06, 2024
Typical Use
In reference to any business entity.
In reference to attributes of larger businesses.
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Jan 06, 2024
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Company and Corporate Definitions
Company
Companionship
He enjoyed the company of his friends during the trip.
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Dec 18, 2023
Corporate
Official or Formal
He adopted a more corporate attire for the meeting.
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Dec 18, 2023
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Company
One's companions or associates
Moved in fast company.
Is known by the company she keeps.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
The state of friendly companionship; fellowship
Was grateful for her company.
Friends who finally parted company.
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Dec 13, 2023
Corporate
Formed into a corporation; incorporated
The corporate companies of industrial America.
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Dec 13, 2023
Corporate
Of or relating to a corporation
Corporate assets.
Corporate culture.
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Company
A partner or partners not specifically named in a firm's title
Lee Rogers and Company.
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Dec 13, 2023
Corporate
United or combined into one body; collective
Made a corporate effort to finish the job.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
A subdivision of a military regiment or battalion that constitutes the lowest administrative unit. It is usually under the command of a captain and is made up of at least two platoons.
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Dec 13, 2023
Corporate
Of or relating to a corporation.
The one on Seventh Street is a corporate franchise.
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Dec 13, 2023
Corporate
A short film produced for internal use in a business, e.g. for training, rather than for a general audience.
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Dec 13, 2023
Corporate
A corporation that franchises, as opposed to an individual franchise.
McDonald's corporate issued a new policy today.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
A group of individuals who work together for a common purpose.
A company of actors.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
(military) A unit of approximately sixty to one hundred and twenty soldiers, typically consisting of two or three platoons and forming part of a battalion.
The boys in Company C
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
A unit of firefighters and their equipment.
It took six companies to put out the fire.
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Dec 13, 2023
Corporate
Formed into a body by legal enactment; united in an association, and endowed by law with the rights and liabilities of an individual; incorporated; as, a corporate town.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
An intelligence service.
As he had worked for the CIA for over 30 years, he would soon take retirement from the company.
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Dec 13, 2023
Corporate
United; general; collectively one.
They answer in a joint and corporate voice.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
(legal) An entity having legal personality, and thus able to own property and to sue and be sued in its own name; a corporation.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
(business) Any business, whether incorporated or not, that manufactures or sells products (also known as goods), or provides services as a commercial venture.
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Dec 13, 2023
Corporate
Of or belonging to a corporation;
Corporate rates
Corporate structure
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
(uncountable) Social visitors or companions.
Keep the house clean; I have company coming.
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Dec 13, 2023
Corporate
Possessing or existing in bodily form;
What seemed corporal melted as breath into the wind
An incarnate spirit
`corporate' is an archaic term
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Dec 13, 2023
Corporate
Done by or characteristic of individuals acting together;
A joint identity
The collective mind
The corporate good
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Dec 13, 2023
Corporate
Organized and maintained as a legal corporation;
A special agency set up in corporate form
An incorporated town
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
The state of being a companion or companions; the act of accompanying; fellowship; companionship; society; friendly intercourse.
Evil company doth corrupt good manners.
Brethren, farewell: your company alongI will not wish.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
A companion or companions.
To thee and thy company I bidA hearty welcome.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
An assemblage or association of persons, either permanent or transient.
Thou shalt meet a company of prophets.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
Guests or visitors, in distinction from the members of a family; as, to invite company to dine.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
Society, in general; people assembled for social intercourse.
Nature has left every man a capacity of being agreeable, though not of shining in company.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
An association of persons for the purpose of carrying on some enterprise or business; a corporation; a firm; as, the East India Company; an insurance company; a joint-stock company.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
Partners in a firm whose names are not mentioned in its style or title; - often abbreviated in writing; as, Hottinguer & Co.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
A subdivision of a regiment of troops under the command of a captain, numbering in the United States (full strength) 100 men.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
The crew of a ship, including the officers; as, a whole ship's company.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
The body of actors employed in a theater or in the production of a play.
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
An institution created to conduct business;
He only invests in large well-established companies
He started the company in his garage
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
Organization of performers and associated personnel (especially theatrical);
The traveling company all stayed at the same hotel
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
The state of being with someone;
He missed their company
He enjoyed the society of his friends
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
A band of people associated temporarily in some activity;
They organized a party to search for food
The company of cooks walked into the kitchen
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
A social gathering of guests or companions;
The house was filled with company when I arrived
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
A social or business visitor;
The room was a mess because he hadn't expected company
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
A unit of firefighters including their equipment;
A hook-and-ladder company
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Dec 13, 2023
Company
Crew of a ship including the officers; the whole force or personnel of a ship
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Dec 13, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does corporate mean?
Corporate refers to characteristics typical of a large, organized business.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
What is a company?
A company is a business entity formed by people to conduct commercial activities.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Can a small business be a company?
Yes, companies can range from small businesses to large corporations.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Is corporate always related to big businesses?
Typically, yes. 'Corporate' usually refers to larger, more structured businesses.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Does corporate refer to a specific legal structure?
No, it describes the attributes or culture of a large business, not its legal structure.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
What is a company's main goal?
Typically, to conduct business activities for profit.
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Jan 06, 2024
Does corporate governance apply to small companies?
While typically associated with larger companies, corporate governance principles can apply to businesses of all sizes.
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Jan 06, 2024
How does a company differ legally from an individual?
A company is a separate legal entity, responsible for its own debts and obligations.
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Jan 06, 2024
Can one person own a company?
Yes, single individuals can own companies, known as sole proprietorships.
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Jan 06, 2024
Does corporate responsibility only apply to environmental issues?
No, it encompasses a broad range of ethical, social, and environmental concerns.
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Jan 06, 2024
Can a nonprofit be a company?
Yes, nonprofits can be structured as companies.
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Jan 06, 2024
Is a corporate culture always formal?
Often, but not always. It varies with the company's values and industry.
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Jan 06, 2024
What defines a company's culture?
A company's culture is defined by its values, practices, and internal environment.
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Jan 06, 2024
Is corporate success only measured in profits?
While profits are important, success can also be measured in sustainability, innovation, and social impact.
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Jan 06, 2024
Can a company exist without being incorporated?
Yes, companies can exist as sole proprietorships or partnerships without incorporation.
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Jan 06, 2024
Are corporate jobs always in offices?
No, corporate jobs can vary widely, including field and remote positions.
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Jan 06, 2024
Is corporate always associated with negative connotations?
Not necessarily, though it can imply bureaucracy and impersonality.
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Jan 06, 2024
Do all companies have shareholders?
Not all. Some companies are privately owned without shareholders.
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Jan 06, 2024
Can a freelancer be considered a company?
Legally, freelancers often operate as sole proprietorships, which are a form of company.
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Jan 06, 2024
Can a company operate globally?
Yes, many companies operate on an international scale.
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Jan 06, 2024
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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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