adj
economic
ee-kuh-NO-mihk
adj
1
Relating to money, trade, industry, or the management of an economy.
"The government announced new economic measures to fight inflation."
"Economic growth slowed sharply after the crisis."
2
Profitable, or representing reasonable value for the cost involved.
"It wasn't economic to keep the factory running at half capacity."
How to Use Economic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with money, trade, and how a country or business manages its resources.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "economical," which means thrifty or good value — "economic policy" is about the economy, while "an economical car" is one that's cheap to run.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
economic growth
economic policy
economic downturn
Word Forms
more economic comparative, economics plural, most economic superlative
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The government announced new _____ measures to fight inflation.
Etymology
Ultimately from Greek oikonomikós, "skilled in household management," from oîkos ("house") plus nómos ("law" or "management") — the same root gave us "economy."