← Dictionary

economically

/ˌiː.kəˈnɒm.ɪ.kli/
IELTSAcademic
adverb

In a way that saves money, time, or resources. It can also mean in a way that relates to a country's economy or financial system.

  • We must travel economically this month.
  • The company uses fuel economically.
  • Economically, the region is still weak.

Adinary Nuance

Economically often means 'in a money-saving way', but it can also mean 'in terms of the economy'. It is more formal than 'cheaply' or 'thriftily'. Use it when you want a careful, neutral tone in writing or speech.

In other languages

Vietnamese
về mặt kinh tế
Spanish
económicamente
Chinese
在经济上
Japanese
経済的に
Korean
경제적으로

Etymology

From economic + -ally. Economic comes from Greek oikonomikos, meaning 'related to household management'. The adverb entered English through later academic and business use.

Common phrases

live economicallyrun economicallyeconomically viableeconomically speaking

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is economically the same as economical?
No. Economical is an adjective, and economically is the adverb form.
Does economically mean 'cheaply'?
Sometimes, but not exactly. It usually means in a money-saving or resource-saving way.
Can I use economically in academic writing?
Yes. It is common in formal, academic, and business writing.
What is the difference between economically and financially?
Economically can mean 'in economic terms' or 'in a saving way'. Financially focuses on money matters more directly.