economic

adjective

eco·​nom·​ic ˌe-kə-ˈnä-mik  ˌē-kə- 

1

a

: of, relating to, or based on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services

economic growth

b

: of or relating to an economy

a group of economic advisers

c

: of or relating to economics

economic theories

2

: economical sense 1

3

: having practical or industrial significance or uses : affecting material resources

4

: profitable

5

archaic : of or relating to a household or its management

Synonyms

• fat
• gainful
• juicy
• lucrative
• money-spinning [chiefly British]
• moneymaking
• paying
• profitable
• remunerative

Examples of economic in a Sentence

a program to prevent inflation and economic collapse

the President's chief economic adviser

We're looking for a more economic way of doing business.

Recent Examples on the Web

These punishments are especially painful since North Korea’s economy has been severely strained by international sanctions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic mismanagement. —Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024

Vice mayor Belal Aftab and councilmember Chuck Page, both members of the ad hoc committee on economic vitality, were in favor of advancing a pilot outdoor dining program that would allow Hero Ranch Kitchen restaurant to expand its outdoor dining with logistical support from city staff. —Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024

The allowance for credit losses was $48.0 million, representing 1.20% of total loans, down from 1.25% at the end of 2023 due to improved economic outlook. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024

As the pain from four years of breakneck price growth linger, there are concerns that President-elect Donald Trump's economic plan, especially his tariff proposal, could spark a new inflationary environment. —Rob Wile, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French yconomique "relating to domestic affairs, relating to the management of a household," borrowed from Medieval Latin oeconomicus (Latin as the title of Xenophon's dialogue Oeconomicus), borrowed from Greek oikonomikós "of a householder or manager, practiced in household or financial management," from oikonómos "manager of a household, steward" + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at economy entry 1

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Phrases Containing economic

• anti-economic
• economic nationalism
• economic populism
• economic rent
• exclusive economic zone
• socio-economic

Kids Definition

economic

adjective

ec·​o·​nom·​ic

ˌek-ə-ˈnäm-ik,

ˌē-kə-

1

a

: of or relating to the science of economics

economic theories

b

: of, relating to, or based on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services

economic growth

2

: having practical or industrial uses : affecting material resources

economic pests