CPI
2 synonyms for CPI, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Consumer Price Index: a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by households for a fixed basket of goods and services, used as the main gauge of inflation.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
consumer price index
inflation index
How to use CPI
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
CPI inflation
headline CPI
core CPI
annual CPI rate
Economic and financial reporting; written in capitals with no full stops.
Etymology
An initialism of Consumer Price Index.
Full origin of CPI →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between CPI and RPI?
Both track price changes for households, but they cover different baskets and use different mathematics. RPI includes some housing costs such as mortgage interest that CPI leaves out, and its formula tends to produce a higher figure. The UK no longer treats RPI as a national statistic, though some contracts still use it.
What is core CPI?
Core CPI strips out food and energy prices, which swing sharply for reasons unconnected to the wider economy. Central banks watch it because it gives a steadier picture of the underlying trend in inflation.
Does CPI measure the cost of living?
Only roughly. CPI tracks the price of a fixed basket, so it does not fully capture people substituting cheaper goods, changes in quality, or the very different spending patterns of individual households. Statistical agencies publish separate cost-of-living measures for that reason.
