inflationary
in-FLAY-shuh-nair-ee
/ɪnˈfleɪ.ʃən.ər.i/
Tending to increase general price levels or expand the supply of money.
Describes policies, pressures, or environments that push prices higher.
The story behind the word. Formed from Latin in- (into) + flare (to blow). Money supply was seen as blown up like air in a bladder, driving down the worth of individual coins.
Word relationships
- escalating: Escalating means rising in general; inflationary specifically refers to economic price level increases.
- deflationary: Deflationary describes pressures causing general price levels to fall.
Commonly confused with
- deflationary: Inflationary expands prices, whereas deflationary contracts prices.
Word family
- inflate (verb): To increase prices or swell in size.
- inflation (noun): General rise in price levels over time.
Collocations
- inflationary pressure
- inflationary spiral
- inflationary expectations
Example sentences
- "Rapid wage growth combined with supply chain delays created strong inflationary pressures across the sector." Macroeconomic analysis
- "The board monitored inflationary risks carefully before deciding whether to adjust key rates." Central bank statement
Memory hook
IN-FLATE: blowing air IN makes prices swell bigger. Blowing air into prices.
When not to use
Do not use to describe physical swelling like a balloon unless speaking metaphorically.
Fun facts
- Hyperinflation once forced post-WWI Germany to print banknotes worth trillions of marks.
Related words
Explore more words
Inflation, deflationary, monopolistic, Expansion, Wage-price spiral, Hyperinflation
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