economic

adjective

eco·​nom·​ic ˌe-kə-ˈnä-mik  ˌē-kə- 

1

a

: of, relating to, or based on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services

economic growth

b

: of or relating to an economy

a group of economic advisers

c

: of or relating to economics

economic theories

2

: economical sense 1

3

: having practical or industrial significance or uses : affecting material resources

4

: profitable

5

archaic : of or relating to a household or its management

Synonyms

• fat
• gainful
• juicy
• lucrative
• money-spinning [chiefly British]
• moneymaking
• paying
• profitable
• remunerative

Examples of economic in a Sentence

a program to prevent inflation and economic collapse

the President's chief economic adviser

We're looking for a more economic way of doing business.

Recent Examples on the Web

The offer was intended to spur Black American economic prosperity post-Civil War. —Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025

Maharlika was set up in 2023 by the government to help stimulate economic growth, social development and boost state coffers through strategic and profitable investments. —Ian Sayson, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2025

One person called me who had four TV shows, but the economic dynamics of the world changed and all of that was cancelled. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025

While the jury is still out on whether AI will cause mass unemployment, some economic implications are already manifesting, notably market concentration in a handful of companies. —Henry Papadatos, TIME, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French yconomique "relating to domestic affairs, relating to the management of a household," borrowed from Medieval Latin oeconomicus (Latin as the title of Xenophon's dialogue Oeconomicus), borrowed from Greek oikonomikós "of a householder or manager, practiced in household or financial management," from oikonómos "manager of a household, steward" + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at economy entry 1

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Phrases Containing economic

• anti-economic
• economic nationalism
• economic populism
• economic rent
• exclusive economic zone
• socio-economic

Kids Definition

economic

adjective

ec·​o·​nom·​ic

ˌek-ə-ˈnäm-ik,

ˌē-kə-

1

a

: of or relating to the science of economics

economic theories

b

: of, relating to, or based on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services

economic growth

2

: having practical or industrial uses : affecting material resources

economic pests