# economist

/iˈkɑnəmɪst/ (US) · /ɪkˈɒnəmˌɪst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/economist
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. professional expert

noun · CEFR B2

an expert who studies how money, trade, and resources work in a country or industry.

For teachers: a professional who studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, often advising on policy or market trends.

- The government hired a famous economist to help fix the country's money problems.
- Leading economists are currently debating whether the central bank's decision to raise interest rates will effectively curb inflation without triggering a recession.

### 2. frugal person

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

someone who is very careful with money and avoids wasting it.

For teachers: a person who manages resources, money, or time with extreme frugality and efficiency.

- In the old story, the main character was a strict economist who never spent a penny on toys.
- The Victorian novelist depicted the protagonist as a grim economist of his own time, accounting for every second spent away from his ledgers.

Usage: In modern English, this sense is almost entirely replaced by 'frugal person' or 'saver'.

## Examples

- The economist predicts that prices will rise next year.
- A government economist analyzed the new tax policy to see how it would affect small businesses.
- While the lead economist argued for a reduction in interest rates to stimulate growth, the central bank remained cautious about potential inflationary pressures.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.