economic
Americanadjective
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pertaining to the production, distribution, and use of income, wealth, and commodities.
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of or relating to the science of economics.
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pertaining to an economy, or system of organization or operation, especially of the process of production.
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involving or pertaining to one's personal resources of money.
to give up a large house for economic reasons.
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pertaining to use as a resource in the economy.
economic entomology; economic botany.
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affecting or apt to affect the welfare of material resources.
weevils and other economic pests.
adjective
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of or relating to an economy, economics, or finance
economic development
economic theories
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capable of being produced, operated, etc, for profit; profitable
the firm is barely economic
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concerning or affecting material resources or welfare
economic pests
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concerned with or relating to the necessities of life; utilitarian
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a variant of economical
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informal inexpensive; cheap
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of economic
First recorded in 1585–95; from Middle French economique, from Latin oeconomicus, from Greek oikonomikós “relating to household management,” equivalent to oikonóm(os) “steward” (from oîko(s) “house” + nómos “manager”) + -ikos -ic
Explanation
If you describe something as economic, then it relates to the economy. And the economy? It's all about money, honey. The adjective economic, meaning “pertaining to management of a household,” first developed in the 1590’s and might remind you of "Home Economics" classes where you once learned to cook and sew. Usually though, we use economic to describe things relating to finance. It’s not the same as financial, but if you’re talking about a town or country whose finances are in dire straits, it’s ok to say "economic ruin."
Vocabulary lists containing economic
"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 1
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Commonly Confused Words, List 1
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Herbert Hoover on "Rugged Individualism" (1928)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They added: "People need and want their governments focused on the issues that really matter - economic growth, the cost of living, and public services. Our focus must be on delivery, not division."
From BBC • May 24, 2026
Fervo finance chief David Ulrey says geothermal projects could become economic in such places as the East Coast over the next decade as drilling costs decline.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026
We believe that space represents the largest economic frontier in human history.
From Barron's • May 23, 2026
“With just two months until kickoff, indicators suggest the anticipated economic lift may fall short of expectations,” the report said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026
The subsequent failure of the American Colonization Society and the combination of logistical and economic difficulties in the colony of Liberia exposed the impracticality of any mass migration back to Africa.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
