inflation

noun

in·​fla·​tion in-ˈflā-shən 

1

: an act of inflating : a state of being inflated: such as

a

: distension

b

: a hypothetical extremely brief period of very rapid expansion of the universe immediately following the big bang

c

: empty pretentiousness : pomposity

2

: a continuing rise in the general price level usually attributed to an increase in the volume of money and credit relative to available goods and services

Synonyms of inflation

• affectation
• arrogance
• pretense
• pretension
• vanity

Examples of inflation in a Sentence

the inflation of a balloon

The government has been unable to control inflation.

The rate of inflation is high.

Recent Examples on the Web

The combination of elevated inflation and a resilient labor market has raised the chances of an interest rate hike, futures markets show. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

And while the share with mortgage debt was about the same, the median amount of that debt adjusted for inflation was larger. — Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026

To raise or not to raise Policymakers at the Federal Reserve have been divided over whether to start raising interest to combat inflation that has exceeded their 2% target for more than five years. — Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

On the other hand, Baby Boomers in particular, though faced with their own times of war and economic hardship, entered the housing market in the 1970s when inflation surged and made home-buying an appealing investment. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inflation

• anti-inflation
• core inflation
• counter-inflation
• grade inflation
• headline inflation

Rhymes for inflation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

inflation

noun

in·​fla·​tion in-ˈflā-shən 

1

: an act of inflating : the state of being inflated

2

: a continual increase in the price of goods and services