economic

[ek-uh-nom-ik, ee-kuh-]

adjective

1. pertaining to the production, distribution, and use of income, wealth, and commodities.

2. of or relating to the science of economics.

3. pertaining to an economy, or system of organization or operation, especially of the process of production.

4. involving or pertaining to one's personal resources of money.

   to give up a large house for economic reasons.

5. pertaining to use as a resource in the economy.

   economic entomology; economic botany.

6. affecting or apt to affect the welfare of material resources.

   weevils and other economic pests.

7. economical.

economic

/ ˌɛkə-, ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to an economy, economics, or finance

   economic development

   economic theories

2. capable of being produced, operated, etc, for profit; profitable

   the firm is barely economic

3. concerning or affecting material resources or welfare

   economic pests

4. concerned with or relating to the necessities of life; utilitarian

5. a variant of economical

6. informal,  inexpensive; cheap

Other Word Forms

• antieconomic adjective
• noneconomic adjective
• preeconomic adjective
• quasi-economic adjective
• subeconomic adjective
• uneconomic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of economic¹

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

Mutharika told voters on the campaign trail that life was simply better under him - Malawi has experienced one of its worst ever economic downturns since Chakwera took office.

From BBC

Instead, the policy will create incentives to move high-tech and scientific activity to other countries, effectively offshoring economic activity that should occur in the U.S., he says.

From Los Angeles Times

Multiple studies have shown that corruption reduces economic growth and deepens inequality.

From BBC

"Nato has stepped up," he said, referring to an agreement by leaders to ramp up defence spending to 5% of their countries' economic output by 2035.

From BBC

Those pledges are now in doubt — as are plans by Korean companies and possibly other foreign economic partners for new U.S. investments.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• budgetary www.thesaurus.com
• commercial 
• fiscal 
• industrial 
• monetary