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adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

fiscal

FIHS-kuhl

Fiscal (adj) means relating to government revenue, spending, or public finances. Example: “The government announced new fiscal policies to reduce the deficit.”

adj
1
Relating to government revenue, spending, or public finances.
"The government announced new fiscal policies to reduce the deficit."
"Their fiscal year ends in March."
2
Relating to money and financial matters generally.
"The company is under pressure to improve its fiscal discipline."

How to Use Fiscal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHaving to do with money, taxes, or government budgets.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "physical" — they sound similar but mean completely different things.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
fiscal year fiscal policy fiscal responsibility

Word Forms

more fiscal comparative, fiscals plural, fiscals plural, Fiscals plural, fiscals plural, most fiscal superlative

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Test yourself on “fiscal” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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The government announced new _____ policies to reduce the deficit.

Etymology

From Latin fiscus ("treasury, purse"), via Middle French fiscal.

Origin: Latin

Related Words

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “fiscal” mean?

The word “fiscal” means relating to government revenue, spending, or public finances. In plain terms, having to do with money, taxes, or government budgets.

How do you pronounce “fiscal”?

“Fiscal” is pronounced FIHS-kuhl (/ˈfɪskəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “fiscal” in a sentence?

Here is “fiscal” used in a sentence: “The government announced new fiscal policies to reduce the deficit.”

What part of speech is “fiscal”?

“Fiscal” is an adjective.

Where does the word “fiscal” come from?

The word “fiscal” comes from Latin. From Latin fiscus ("treasury, purse"), via Middle French fiscal.

Is “fiscal” a common word?

“Fiscal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “fiscal” have?

“Fiscal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to government revenue, spending, or public finances.

What is the difference between "fiscal" and "monetary"?

"Fiscal" refers to government decisions about taxation and spending, while "monetary" refers to the control of the money supply and interest rates, usually by a central bank. Fiscal policy is set by governments, whereas monetary policy is managed by monetary authorities such as a central bank.

What is the difference between "fiscal" and "financial"?

"Fiscal" most often relates specifically to government revenue, spending, and public finances, while "financial" is a broader word covering money matters of any kind, including personal and business finances. In general use "fiscal" can also carry the wider sense of relating to money.

What are common collocations with "fiscal"?

Common collocations include "fiscal policy," "fiscal year," "fiscal deficit," "fiscal responsibility," and "fiscal cliff." These phrases usually concern government budgeting, taxation, and public spending.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial