economic

adjective

eco·​nom·​ic ˌe-kə-ˈnä-mik How to pronounce economic (audio) ˌē-kə- How to pronounce economic (audio)
Synonyms of economic
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 of economic

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For a government overseeing a population dominated by mobile expats, that created a lot of uncertainty in terms of establishing an economic base that can support a welfare system and basic state infrastructure. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026 The European Union accused Martelly of arming and financing several gangs to promote his political agenda, defend his personal and economic interest, and control territory. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 The Jags were early adopters of the NFL's international push and began staging an annual game at Wembley in 2013, but the economic incentive to do so has been decreasing. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 Beyond an economic and artistic violation, though, there’s a more sordid aspect to what’s happening today with AI stand-ups. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for economic

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of economic was in 1599

Phrases Containing economic

Rhymes for economic

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Browse Nearby Words

econometrics
economic
economical
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Cite this Entry

“Economic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/economic. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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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
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