Founder: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this term when referring to someone who has started a significant venture, organization, or institution, often in a formal or business context.

• Steve Jobs is the founder of Apple.
• She is the founder of the charitable organization.

Use this term when referring to someone who is the first to create or introduce something new, often ideas, methods, or movements. It emphasizes originality and innovation.

• He is the originator of the new architectural style.
• She is the originator of this revolutionary idea.

This term is more general and is used when referring to someone who makes or brings something into existence, whether it be art, ideas, or physical objects. It does not necessarily imply starting an organization.

• He is the creator of this beautiful sculpture.
• She is the creator of a popular comic strip.

This term is less commonly used and implies someone who sets up or establishes something, particularly systems, laws, or norms.

• He was an establisher of the new legal system.
• She is recognized as an establisher of modern educational methods.

Use 'founder' to refer to someone who establishes an institution, organization, or company. The focus is on starting something new from the beginning.

• Steve Jobs is the founder of Apple.
• She is the founder of a successful non-profit organization.

Use 'pioneer' to describe someone who is among the first to explore or settle a new area or who opens up new areas of thought, research, or development. This word often carries a positive connotation of bravery and innovation.

• Marie Curie was a pioneer in the field of radioactivity.
• The pioneers of Silicon Valley changed the tech world forever.

Use 'settler' for someone who moves to a new area, typically where no or few people live, to live and establish a community. The term is neutral but can carry historical context depending on the region.

• Early settlers of the American West faced many hardships.
• The settlers set up farms and built new homes in the area.

Use 'colonizer' when talking about someone or a group that establishes control over a new territory, often by subjugating and exploiting the local population. This word generally has a negative connotation due to historical contexts of oppression.

• Christopher Columbus is often referred to as a colonizer.
• The colonizers imposed their culture and laws on the indigenous people.

Used to describe someone who establishes an organization, company, or institution.

• Steve Jobs is the founder of Apple
• The founder of the city envisioned a modern metropolis

Describes someone considered to be a spokesperson for a divine being or who can predict the future. Can also be used figuratively for someone who makes significant predictions or insights.

• The prophet foretold the coming of great changes
• Many consider him a prophet of our age, predicting advancements in technology

Refers to someone who guides or directs a group, organization, or country.

• A good leader knows how to inspire their team
• The community looked up to her as their leader

Often used in a religious context to describe a savior or liberator of a group of people. It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone expected to deliver significant change or salvation.

• The prophets spoke of a messiah who would bring peace
• He was hailed as the messiah of modern technology

Use this term when referring to the person who initiates or sets up a company, organization, or institution.

• Steve Jobs was a founder of Apple Inc.
• The founders of the startup were invited to speak at the conference.

This term is appropriate for formal contexts where you are referring to the act of setting up an institution, business, or system in a stable or long-lasting way.

• They plan to establish a new university in the city.
• The company was established in 1990 and has grown ever since.

This word is best used to describe the act of bringing something into existence, often with an artistic or innovative touch. It's broader and can refer to many contexts, not just businesses or organizations.

• She wants to create a beautiful painting.
• The engineer created a new app to solve the problem.

This is a general, informal term for beginning anything, whether it’s a business, a project, or a trip. It is very versatile but less formal than 'establish.'

• We're going to start a new project next week.
• She decided to start her own business after college.