economic
Often confused with economical
- 1About money, trade and business in a country or area, or about the study of these things.
The country's economic problems made it hard for people to find work.
Many families felt the economic effects of rising prices.
UsageFor something that saves money, like a car, people usually say economical.
- 2Earning or saving enough money to be worth doing or keeping going.
The old mine is no longer economic, so it will close next year.
With so few riders, is it really economic to keep the night bus running?
UsageOften said as it is not economic to do something. The opposite is uneconomic.
Similarprofitable, viable, worthwhile
Oppositeuneconomic, unprofitable
- 3Not wasting money, and giving good value for what you pay.
Like buying a big bag of rice instead of many small ones: you pay less for each meal.
We should make more economic use of the water we have.
The tiny kitchen makes economic use of every inch of space.
UsageOften in make economic use of something. To say a thing saves money, economical is clearer.
Similarthrifty, efficient, cheap, frugal, cost-effective
Oppositewasteful, extravagant
Less common meaning
- 4Having to do with running a home and its everyday affairs.
And doth employ her Oeconomick Art, and buisy Care, her Houshold to preserve
1714, John Davies, The OriginalHere, Oeconomick means having to do with running a household.Note
Practice
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Origin
It came from a Greek word meaning 'skilled at running a household', which passed through Latin and French into English.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Economic ultimately derives from Ancient Greek οἰκονομικός, meaning skilled at running a household. en.wiktionary.org
- The Greek word passed through Latin into French. en.wiktionary.org
- English borrowed the word through French. en.wiktionary.org