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

Recent research shows that two-parent families generate positive outcomes for children, such as fewer behavioral issues, and foster upward economic mobility. —Adam A. Millsap, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024

Since 2021, city staff have been working on the plan, which will guide the city's economic development work moving forward, the release states. —Nwa Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 11 Sep. 2024

If the economic visions of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump were starkly divergent, the contrast between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is nearly blinding. —Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2024

Economists and policy experts previously told CNBC that Trump’s economic policy on China in a second term would be expected to focus on heavy trade tariffs. —Dylan Butts, CNBC, 11 Sep. 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 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