economy
economy Lexical Profile
economy Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, along with the supply of money, within a country or region.
"The country's economy relies heavily on agricultural exports and renewable energy."
The least expensive class of passenger seating on an aircraft, train, or ship.
"Although the flight was ten hours long, flying in economy saved the company hundreds of dollars."
Careful, efficient management of available money, materials, time, or other resources to avoid waste.
"She wrote her essay with remarkable economy of language, expressing complex ideas in just a few paragraphs."
• adjective
Designed to provide good value or lower cost, such as cheaper travel accommodations or larger product packaging.
"To stay within their travel budget, the students booked economy seats on the overnight train."
Word Nuance & Usage
The adjective derivatives 'economic' and 'economical' have distinct meanings: 'economic' relates to the study of economics or a nation's financial system, whereas 'economical' means thrifty, efficient, or avoiding waste.
• Rhymes for economy
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 15th century via Middle French and Latin from Ancient Greek 'oikonomia' ('household management'), a compound of 'oikos' ('house') and 'nomos' ('managing' or 'distributing').