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 of economic

• profitable
• lucrative

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

Many voters thank him ​for pulling Serbia from economic obscurity and orchestrating a period of sustained modernisation including new highways, railways, schools and hospitals. — Reuters, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026

Graham is a senior fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution, a professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy, and a senior scientist at Gallup, whose World Poll supplied the data for her latest paper. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Just as in the previous 10 cycles, the current cycle combines economic concerns (including energy prices) and negative stories about incumbents in various offices. — Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026

In a separate interview, Sundwall homed in on cars and economic impact, outlining efficiency honed through the methods of private business, as well as total spending transparency. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026

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