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
- antieconomic adjective
- noneconomic adjective
- preeconomic adjective
- quasi-economic adjective
- subeconomic adjective
- uneconomic adjective
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
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.
The economic integration of Asia depends on this narrow, vulnerable corridor.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026
To be sure, emerging markets remain sensitive to shifts in investor sentiment or economic conditions, particularly if the Iran war drags on.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
It spread countrywide the following day, fueled by longstanding frustration over corruption and economic hardship.
From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026
If you believe that, you dip back into oil, invest in slower economic growth by buying discounted large-cap stocks and avoid emerging-market fuel and food importers.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026
"People discussed, disputed, and imagined alternative political and economic orders," wrote the historian Melvyn Leffler.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
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.
