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
Commonly Confused Words, List 1
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 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.
"I want a new change for me, for you, for everyone," Beltran said, expressing hope for Machado's return and an economic revival.
From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026
In the absence of major U.S. economic data, “movements in the bond market and developments in crude oil prices are likely to guide trading over the next few sessions.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
Democrats lead polls in the final stretch before the midterms; riots in France reflect enormous economic and political discontent; and DOJ lawyers spar with judge over Trump’s plans for public golf course in D.C.
From Slate ● Oct. 22, 2026
Because of the tough economic times and because of the new products like buy-now-pay-later deals that are just sweeping the market, young people are being sucked into more credit-card debt than ever before.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026
Starting in the 1980s, the Soviet Union was facing economic and political upheaval.
From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
