inflation
gb/ɪnflˈeɪʃən/ us/ɪnflˈeɪʃən/
A2
English
~ 2100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
event
1
Sustained increase in prices
When prices for most things go up and money buys less than before.
Usage pattern:
[something] causes inflation
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'inflation' with 'deflation', which is the opposite economic condition.
Synonyms
price rise (A simpler, informal term focusing on the increase in prices rather than the economic process.)
|
cost increase (Describes a rise in costs, often used in specific contexts rather than the overall economy.)
Antonyms
deflation (Refers to a general decrease in prices and an increase in the value of money.)
Collocations
high inflation
|control inflation
|reduce inflation
|inflation rate
|inflation pressure
Themes
economics
|business
|finance
Examples
- The government is taking steps to control inflation.
- High inflation can make everyday goods more expensive.
- Inflation has been rising steadily over the past year.
- Wages have not kept up with inflation.
- Economists are worried about sudden spikes in inflation.
Learner examples
- Inflation makes food cost more.
- The country has high inflation this year.
- They work to stop inflation.
- Inflation is bad for poor people.
- Prices go up because of inflation.
Noun
A2
action
2
Filling with air or gas
The act of putting air or gas inside something to make it bigger.
Usage pattern:
inflation of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with economic 'inflation', which has a very different meaning.
Synonyms
pressurization (More technical term, often used for closed systems like cabins or tanks.)
|
pumping up (Informal expression for adding air to something.)
Antonyms
deflation (The release of air or gas from something, making it smaller.)
Collocations
tire inflation
|ball inflation
|inflation pump
|inflation valve
Themes
sports
|daily life
|mechanics
|daily_life
|science
Examples
- The inflation of the hot-air balloon took two hours.
- Tire inflation should be checked regularly for safety.
- The ball needs inflation before the game starts.
- She used an electric pump for the inflation of the mattress.
Learner examples
- The balloon needs more inflation.
- Inflation of the tire is easy.
- I help with the ball inflation.
- He checks the inflation of his bike tires.
Noun
formal
B2
event
3
Overstated growth or importance
When something is made to seem bigger, better, or more important than it really is.
Synonyms
overstatement (Focuses on saying something is bigger or more important than it is.)
|
exaggeration (Common term for making something seem greater than reality.)
Antonyms
understatement (Presenting something as smaller or less important than it actually is.)
Collocations
ego inflation
|inflation of claims
|inflation of numbers
Themes
communication
|criticism
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There was an inflation of his achievements in the report.
- Critics accused the author of inflation of statistics.
- The media often contributes to the inflation of celebrity status.
Learner examples
- The story had some inflation of facts.
- She saw an inflation of his success.
- The news made an inflation of the problem.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inflation
IPA
GB/ɪnflˈeɪʃən/
US/ɪnflˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
in - fla - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fla)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: inflation
- Plural: inflation, inflations
Word family
Forms
inflations
noun
Core family
inflate
verb B1
inflated
adjective
Related words
inflationary
adjective
inflatable
adjective
Advanced or less common
hyperinflation
noun
disinflation
noun C1
Expressions
adjusted for inflation
1/əd͡ʒˈʌstɪd fɚ ɪnflˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
Prices corrected for time changes
Changed numbers so they show true value without price changes over time.
Examples
- Salaries have risen 10% when adjusted for inflation.
- Adjusted for inflation, the price is about the same as ten years ago.
control inflation
1/kəntɹˈoʊl ɪnflˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Limit rising prices in economy
To take steps to stop prices from going up too much.
Examples
- The government introduced new policies to control inflation.
- Central banks raise interest rates to control inflation.
inflate the numbers
1/ɪnflˈeɪt ðə nˈʌmbɚz/
idiom
informal
Make numbers seem bigger than they are
To make numbers look bigger than they really are, often dishonestly.
Examples
- They inflated the numbers to impress investors.
- The company was accused of inflating the numbers in its report.
rate of inflation
1/ɹˈeɪt əv ɪnflˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Percentage change in prices over time
How fast prices go up, shown as a percentage.
Examples
- The rate of inflation reached 5% this year.
- They aim to keep the rate of inflation below 2%.