English Reference
adjective · noun

fiscal

adj. · n.
US /ˈfɪskəɫ/ UK /fˈɪskəl/ fis·cal UK spelling fiscals

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.related to a twelve-month period used for calculating a company's or government's money.

    adj.denoting a twelve-month period used for calculating annual financial statements, which may not align with the calendar year.

    Simple

    The company's fiscal year ends in June rather than December.

    In context

    The department was forced to freeze all new hiring until the start of the next fiscal year to remain within the approved budget.

    financial year
  2. 02 C1 Advanced FormalTechnical Law

    n.a person in some countries who works as a public prosecutor or lawyer for the state.

    n.a public official or prosecutor in certain legal systems, such as those in Scotland, the Philippines, or the Netherlands.

    Simple

    The fiscal presented the evidence against the suspect during the trial.

    In context

    In the Scottish legal system, the procurator fiscal is responsible for the investigation of all sudden or suspicious deaths.

For the 2025 fiscal year, Michigan’s education budget was more than US$21 billion , and education accounted for more than 25% of state spending.

The Conversation· 17 Aug 2026

However, building a preventive state will come with challenges for a prime minister hemmed in by the UK’s current tight fiscal predicament, and who is in a hurry to show progress.

The Guardian· 9 Aug 2026

Etymology 1

From Middle French fiscal, from Latin fiscus (“treasury”) – see fiscus and fisc.

Etymology 2

From Spanish fiscal, ultimately from Latin fiscus (“treasury”).

Etymology 3

After Afrikaans fiskaal (“public official, hangman”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated