economic
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."
Definitions of economic
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of or relating to an economy, the system of production and management of material wealth“economic growth”
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synonyms:
economical
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of or relating to the science of economics“economic theory”
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concerned with worldly necessities of life (especially money)
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using the minimum of time or resources necessary for effectiveness“an economic use of home heating oil”
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synonyms:
economical
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efficient
being effective without wasting time or effort or expense
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efficient
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financially rewarding“it was no longer economic to keep the factory open”“have to keep prices high enough to make it economic to continue the service”
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Synonyms:
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profitable
yielding material gain or profit
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profitable
Pronunciation
US
/ɛkəˈnɑmɪk/
UK
/ɛkəˈnɒmɪk/
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Commonly confused words
economic / economical
Economic is all about how money works, but something economical is a good deal. You might take an economic studiesclass to understand the ebb and flow of cash in the world, but if you buy a used textbook for it, you’re being economical.
Word Family
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