inflation

American  

[in-flay-shuhn] / ɪnˈfleɪ ʃən /

noun

• inflations
  plural

1. Economics. a persistent, substantial rise in the general level of prices related to an increase in the volume of money and resulting in the loss of value of currency (opposed to deflation).

2. the act of inflating.

3. the state of being inflated.

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inflation British  

/ ɪnˈfleɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of inflating or state of being inflated

2. economics a progressive increase in the general level of prices brought about by an expansion in demand or the money supply ( demand-pull inflation ) or by autonomous increases in costs ( cost-push inflation ) Compare deflation

3. informal the rate of increase of prices

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inflation Cultural  

1. A general increase in prices.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• anti-inflation
  noun
• noninflation
  noun
• overinflation
  noun
• reinflation
  noun
• self-inflation
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• inflations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of inflation

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English inflacio(u)n, from Latin inflātiōn-, stem of inflātiō, equivalent to inflāt(us), past participle of inflāre “to blow on or into, puff out” + -iō -ion; see inflate

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Explanation

Think of inflation as expansion, usually from being filled with air, like a balloon. This also refers to rising prices. Think of a balloon puffing up, getting fuller and fuller — that's inflation. The word has a bunch of related meanings. We can say people a little too full of themselves are suffering from inflation: they are full of hot air. When the cost of living is ballooning, that's economic inflation. When the universe was born in the big bang, there was a huge inflation, as matter spread out, creating galaxies, stars, and planets.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

inflation inflations

"Fixed rates have already risen due to market anticipation that interest rates would need to rise to combat higher inflation," he says.

From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2026

"From my point of view, inflation goes up which costs you, then interest rates go up and you have even less money."

From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2026

Consumers’ short-term inflation expectations declined, while longer-run inflation expectations ticked slightly lower.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

Are there downsides to this approach, particularly regarding liquidity, inflation, insurer risk, taxes or the opportunity cost of locking in a fixed rate for five years?

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2026

Soon, there were food shortages, and inflation made their money so worthless that people began burning it for fuel.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

He added: “I know I could not have been so calm through depressions, inflations, banking and currency crises, wars and political disruptions.”

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 18, 2026

Dr Chris Provan, the chair of RCGPs in Scotland, said: "Nationally, many GP practices are experiencing dire financial headwinds owing to historic underinvestment, the impact of inflations, and the impending national insurance contributions."

From BBC ● Mar. 20, 2025

But Sotheby’s lawyers said that, while Rybolovlev and Sazonov had reason to be angry, they should blame themselves for failing to take reasonable measures to protect Rybolovlev from any price inflations.

From New York Times ● Jan. 9, 2024

The second round showed inflations of between 28% and 42%.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2022

Not with balloons and their cumbrous inflations, but with machines capable of carrying the load, and traveling by displacement of the air at high velocities.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 312, December 24, 1881 by Various

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Related Words

• boom
• expansion
• hike
• rise

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