What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
economic
Example
The economic growth of the country has been steady over the past few years. [economic: adjective]
Example
She is studying economics at university to learn more about how markets work. [economics: noun]
financial
Example
I need to speak with a financial advisor to plan my retirement savings. [financial: adjective]
Example
The company's financial report showed a profit for the first quarter. [financial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Financial is more commonly used than economic in everyday language, as it is more versatile and applicable to a wider range of contexts. However, economic is more commonly used in academic and policy contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between economic and financial?
Economic is generally considered more formal than financial, as it is often used in academic and policy contexts. However, both words can be used in formal and informal contexts depending on the situation and audience.