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

In November, the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City’s TIF Commission forwarded a recommended to the City Council to approve a plan that would return about $110 million to the company, using economic activity taxes, which includes all non-property tax sources, over 23 years. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 12 Dec. 2025

The Treasury market continues to reprice in response to the Federal Reserve's quarter-point rate cut, pledge to buy short-term debt to stabilize money markets and some dovish-seeming commentary about the 2026 interplay of economic growth, productivity and rates. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2025

However, if economic data shows persistent price pressures or stronger-than-expected growth, the Fed might hold steady or even reverse course. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025

If consumer behavior and other economic and real-world data show that a merger will limit vigorous competition and result in higher prices and less quality or innovation, the government is entitled to act. —Satya Marar, Fortune, 12 Dec. 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