Meaning & use
inflation
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Meanings
noununcountablebusinessfinance
A general and continuing rise in prices across an economy, which reduces what money can buy.
Grammar: No plural in this sense: Inflation rose to 5 percent. Do not say 'an inflation'.
Patterns
- inflation rises/falls
- the rate of inflation
- high/low inflation
Inflation has risen sharply, so many families are spending more on basic goods.
The central bank raised interest rates to bring inflation under control.
Wages have not kept up with inflation over the past decade.
noununcountabletechnical
The act of filling something with air or gas, or the state of being filled.
Grammar: Used in technical or medical contexts: the inflation of a balloon or a cuff.
Patterns
- the inflation of something
The inflation of the balloon took only a few seconds.
Doctors checked the inflation of the blood pressure cuff.
noununcountableformaldisapproving
An increase in size, amount, or importance, often more than is deserved.
Grammar: Formal and usually disapproving: the inflation of grades or prices.
Patterns
- the inflation of something
Critics complained about the inflation of grades at the university.
There has been an inflation of claims in advertising.
Common combinations
- rate of inflation
- The rate of inflation fell to 2 percent last month.
- rising inflation
- Rising inflation is making it harder for people to save.
- control inflation
- The government is trying to control inflation.
- inflation rate
- The inflation rate is expected to stay steady this year.
- adjust for inflation
- The figures are adjusted for inflation.
Synonyms and how they differ
- price rise
- Refers to an increase in the price of one thing or a few things; inflation is a general, economy-wide rise.
- cost of living increase
- Focuses on the effect on everyday expenses; inflation is the broader economic measure.
Opposites
Word family
- inflate verb
- To fill with air or gas, or to increase prices or amounts.
- inflated adjective
- Filled with air, or higher than is reasonable: inflated prices.
- inflationary adjective
- Causing or relating to inflation: inflationary pressure.
Commonly confused: inflation or deflation?
inflation vs deflation
Deflation is a general fall in prices, the opposite of inflation. Both are economic terms, so check which direction prices are moving.
Practice
The government is trying to bring ______ under control.
Choose one answer.
Inflation is uncountable and is the general rise in prices that governments try to control. 'Inflations' is not used, and 'deflation' is the opposite (falling prices), which would not fit the usual policy aim.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “inflation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.