ENGLISH
REFERENCE

economic

adj.
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk// UK //ˌiːkənˈɒmɪk// eco·nom·ic Archaic General-service

adj. relating to the system of money, trade, and industry in a country. You use it to talk about the way a society organizes its wealth and resources.

adj. relating to the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, or the material welfare of a country. Typically used to describe macro-level systems or policies rather than individual frugality.


SIMPLE

The country is facing a serious economic crisis.

CONTEXTUAL

The government introduced new economic policies to help small businesses grow and create more jobs.

COMPLEX

While the social benefits of the project were clear, the economic costs proved too high for the local council to justify in the current fiscal year.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle French economique, from Latin oeconomicus, from Ancient Greek οἰκονομικός (oikonomikós, “skilled with household management”).

Usage

Typically placed before the noun it modifies. Often confused with 'economical'.

Pitfall

This car is very economic.This car is very economical.'Economic' refers to the economy of a country; 'economical' means something is good value or saves money.

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