mogul

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "mogul" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun and can be used to refer to a person who has achieved great wealth or influence. For example, "The banking mogul invested heavily in the city's infrastructure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pop mogul Cowell will be absent from the judging lineup when the X Factor returns to the small screen for its 10th year on Saturday night.

The Guardian

The way he deals with the inevitable rumours about his sexuality ("Who does it hurt if someone thinks I'm gay"?) is wonderfully beguiling, and that's before we've even started on his humanitarian work in Darfur and Haiti, not to mention his friendship with President Obama, recently in the news following Clooney's bust-up with Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn.

The Guardian - Opinion

The fury spilled out on to the streets in June when tens of thousands marched through the capital in outrage over the appointment of Delyan Peevski, a well-connected media mogul, as head of the State Agency for National Security.

The Guardian

This is movie mogul madness at its zany best because it will be recalled that Ecclestone has spent a good deal of energy wrestling grand prix away from northern Europe (where water sprays randomly on the circuit via a process known to scientists as "rain") and staging them instead in the Middle East (where it doesn't).

The Guardian - Sport

Empire's action starts when street criminal-turned-hip-hop superstar-turned-smooth, cravat-swathed record company mogul Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) announces that he intends to bequeath his CEO position to one of his three sons: business-brained, bipolar Andre; unassuming, gay musical genius Jamal; or bad-boy rap starlet Hakeem.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And if those visitors were not considered "funky" enough for the university's young voters, then hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons came by the students lounge last week at the invitation of Canes for Obama, the Democrats' campus supporters group.

The Guardian

Yes, it may turn out to do well on DVD at Christmas; yes, it may have been a smart move cancelling the week-of-release press screening to avoid even more abusive reviews; but these aren't the thoughts, strategies or indeed actions of a putative movie mogul.

The Guardian - Film

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 2.04pm AEST05:04 In case you missed it, media mogul Rupert Murdoch surprised noone with his two cents on the election result.

The Guardian

Instead of Louis, US X Factor has LA Reid, a music industry mogul so fixated on competency and product that he instantly drains the fun from any room he steps into.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Jane Martinson: As he meets with his top team, will the media mogul decide to proceed with a bid for the 60.1% of Sky he does not own and who would stop him The Guardian Chris Evans makes Top Gear film in secret.

The Guardian

To have a mogul as an owner largely means that journalists spend a lot of time worried about whether that mogul will get bored or suddenly start listening to his accountants.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Keep the term for contexts involving significant public influence or cultural impact rather than just high salary.

Common error

Avoid confusing the modern business term with the historical 'Mughal' (sometimes spelled Mogul) Empire of India. While etymologically linked, using the term to describe modern leaders in a historical academic paper without clarification can cause ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The word "mogul" functions primarily as a noun, identifying a person who possesses significant power, influence or wealth in a specific industry. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and versatile, often appearing as a head noun in phrases like 'media mogul' or 'music mogul' to specify the domain of influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "mogul" is a high-impact noun used to characterize individuals of immense wealth and industry-wide influence. Analysis of examples from Ludwig shows a strong preference for this word in media, music and property contexts. While it is synonymous with terms like "magnate" and "tycoon", it uniquely suggests a level of public visibility and sector dominance. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and highly effective word for professional writing. Whether you are describing a 'hip-hop mogul' or a 'tech mogul', the word successfully conveys a sense of peak achievement and authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tycoon

Refers specifically to a wealthy person who has succeeded in a particular industry through business acumen

magnate

Emphasizes the person's great influence and status within a specific field such as media or industry

baron

Often used to describe powerful individuals in traditional industries like steel, oil or shipping

titan

Highlights the massive scale of influence or power compared to competitors

captain of industry

A more formal and positive term for an influential business leader

industrialist

Focuses on success specifically within the manufacturing or industrial sectors

entrepreneur

Focuses on the creation and risk-taking aspect of business rather than established dominance

czar

Describes a person with great authority or oversight, often in a government or regulatory context

powerhouse

Focuses on the energy, drive and influential force of the person or company

business leader

A literal, descriptive and neutral alternative to more colorful industry terms

FAQs

What is the difference between a "mogul" and a tycoon?

While both describe wealthy leaders, a "mogul" often implies cultural or media influence, whereas a "tycoon" frequently refers to success in physical industries like manufacturing or shipping.

Can I use "mogul" in a formal business report?

Yes, it is common in financial journalism, but for a strictly internal corporate document, you might prefer "business leader" or "chief executive".

Does "mogul" have a negative connotation?

It is generally neutral but can occasionally imply an intimidating level of power. If you want a purely positive term, use "captain of industry".

What does "mogul" mean in skiing?

In skiing, it refers to the bumps of hard snow on a trail. It is distinct from the business definition though both are spelled identically.