eco
EE-koh
Eco (noun) means a shortened, informal form used to mean anything relating to ecology or the environment, often used as a prefix (eco-friendly, eco-tourism). Example: “The store sells eco cleaning products in refillable bottles.”
noun
1
A shortened, informal form used to mean anything relating to ecology or the environment, often used as a prefix (eco-friendly, eco-tourism).
"The store sells eco cleaning products in refillable bottles."
"They marketed the resort as a fully eco getaway."
"She bought an eco bag so she would stop using plastic ones."
How to use eco
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShort for "ecological" or "environmentally friendly," usually attached to another word.
When to use it
Informal; almost always used as a prefix rather than standing alone.
Common pairings
eco-friendly
eco-conscious
eco tourism
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Word forms
- Plural
- ecos
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The store sells _____ cleaning products in refillable bottles.
Etymology
From ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, who propose to use the currency.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for eco
See all rhymes for eco →Frequently asked questions
What does “eco” mean?
The word “eco” means a shortened, informal form used to mean anything relating to ecology or the environment, often used as a prefix (eco-friendly, eco-tourism). In plain terms, short for "ecological" or "environmentally friendly," usually attached to another word.
How do you pronounce “eco”?
“Eco” is pronounced EE-koh (/ˈi.koʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “eco” in a sentence?
Here is “eco” used in a sentence: “The store sells eco cleaning products in refillable bottles.”
What part of speech is “eco”?
“Eco” is a noun.
Is “eco” a common word?
“Eco” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What does the prefix eco- mean in words like eco-friendly?
Eco- is a shortened, informal form used to mean anything relating to ecology or the environment. It is commonly attached to other words as a prefix, as in eco-friendly or eco-tourism, to signal an environmental focus.
Is eco a formal word?
Eco is informal and works as a casual shorthand for ecological or environmental. It appears frequently in marketing, product labelling, and everyday conversation rather than in formal or scientific writing, where ecological is preferred.
What is the difference between eco and ecological?
Eco is an informal, shortened form typically used as a prefix in compound words, while ecological is the full adjective used in formal or scientific contexts. Both relate to ecology and the environment, but ecological is considered the more precise and proper term.
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