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

During periods of economic weakness when lending activity slows, consumers with high credit scores sometimes can take advantage of attractive offers. —Russ Wiles, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025

Rather than blaming the fed chair for our economic issues, Trump should consider canceling the tariffs. —Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

While economic fundamentals such as employment remain relatively stable, indicators like inflation and market performance have raised alarm. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025

Zhang Fan/Xinhua via Getty Images The European Central Bank should only enact one more quarter percentage point interest rate cut this year despite wider risks to economic growth, the International Monetary Fund’s Europe chief said Wednesday. —Jenni Reid, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for economic

• anatomic
• antidromic
• astronomic
• autonomic
• cryptogamic
• diatomic
• ergonomic
• gastronomic
• monatomic
• psychonomic
• subatomic
• taxonomic

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