inflation
ihn-FLAY-shn
Inflation (noun) means a general and sustained rise in prices, which reduces the purchasing power of money. Example: “High inflation means that a pound buys less than it used to.”
noun
1
A general and sustained rise in prices, which reduces the purchasing power of money.
"High inflation means that a pound buys less than it used to."
"Rising inflation has made weekly grocery bills noticeably higher."
"The central bank raised interest rates to try to control inflation."
2
The act of filling something with air or gas so it expands.
"Check the tyre pressure after inflation to make sure it is correct."
"The inflation of the balloon made the children shriek with excitement."
"The inflation of the life raft took less than a minute."
How to use inflation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRising prices across an economy over time, or the act of filling something with air.
Common pairings
rate of inflation
rising inflation
control inflation
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Word forms
- Plural
- inflations
Fill the gap
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High _____ means that a pound buys less than it used to.
Etymology
From Latin inflatio, "a swelling, blowing up," from inflare — see inflate.
Synonyms
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expansion
dilation
distension
ballooning
puffiness
splashiness
pretentiousness
pompousness
ostentatiousness
pomposity
ostentation
Antonyms
disinflation
deflation
Related words
Rhymes for inflation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for inflation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “inflation” mean?
The word “inflation” means a general and sustained rise in prices, which reduces the purchasing power of money. In plain terms, rising prices across an economy over time, or the act of filling something with air.
How do you pronounce “inflation”?
“Inflation” is pronounced ihn-FLAY-shn (/ɪnˈfleɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “inflation” in a sentence?
Here is “inflation” used in a sentence: “Rising inflation has made weekly grocery bills noticeably higher.”
What is the opposite of “inflation”?
The opposite of “inflation” — its antonyms — is deflation.
What part of speech is “inflation”?
“Inflation” is a noun.
Where does the word “inflation” come from?
The word “inflation” comes from Latin. From Latin inflatio, "a swelling, blowing up," from inflare — see inflate.
Is “inflation” a common word?
“Inflation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “inflation” have?
“Inflation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a general and sustained rise in prices, which reduces the purchasing power of money.
What is the difference between inflation and deflation?
Inflation is a general, sustained rise in prices that reduces the purchasing power of money. Deflation is the opposite: a general, sustained fall in prices, which raises the value of money.
What is the difference between inflation and recession?
Inflation refers to rising prices across the economy, while a recession is a broad decline in economic activity. They are separate concepts and can happen at the same time.
Does inflation always relate to money?
No. Besides the economic meaning, inflation also means the act of filling something with air or gas so it expands, such as the inflation of a tyre or a balloon.
What words commonly go with inflation?
In its economic sense, inflation pairs with words like rate, rising, high, soaring, and curb, as in 'inflation rate' or 'curb inflation.' These collocations reflect measuring or controlling the rise in prices.
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