Word family noun inflation inflatable deflation reflation adjective inflatable inflated inflationary deflationary reflationary verb inflate deflate reflate
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishinflationin‧fla‧tion /ɪnˈfleɪʃən/ ●●○ W3 noun [uncountable] 1 BPEa continuing increase in prices, or the rate at which prices increase Inflation is now at over 16%.2 AIRthe process of filling something with airCOLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + inflationlowFrance had achieved low inflation and steady growth.high Inflation remained high throughout this period.annual inflationAnnual inflation in 1990 was 8.1%.rising inflationThe country was hit by rising inflation.spiralling/soaring inflation (=inflation that is increasing quickly and out of control)Argentina was suffering from spiralling inflation.price/wage inflation (=increasing prices/wages)Price inflation was running at about twelve percent last summer.inflation + NOUNthe inflation rate/the rate of inflationThe current inflation rate stands at 4.1%.the inflation figuresApril's inflation figures are likely to show a further fall.verbscause/lead to inflationToo much government borrowing can lead to inflation.fuel inflation/push up inflation (=make inflation worse)The increase in food prices is fuelling inflation.There are now fears that price rises will push up inflation.control/curb inflation (=prevent it from increasing more)These measures are designed to curb inflation.fight/combat inflationAn economic plan to combat inflation was drawn up.reduce inflation/get inflation downThe government has promised to reduce inflation to 3%.The government's top priority is to get inflation down to 2%.keep inflation down (=keep it at a low level)These policies will help to keep inflation down.inflation risesInflation rose steadily from the mid-1960s.inflation fallsInflation fell by 0.5% last month.inflation is running at 3%/4% etc (also inflation stands at 3%/4% etc) (=used to talk about the present rate of inflation)Inflation currently stands at 3.2%.keep pace with inflation (=be at the same level as inflation)Salaries have not kept pace with inflation.From Longman Business Dictionaryinflationin‧fla‧tion /ɪnˈfleɪʃən/ noun [uncountable]ECONOMICS a continuing increase in the prices of goods and services, or the rate at which prices increaseA slowing economy would help contain inflation (=control it).Gold does well only during periods of high inflation.Portugal had annual average inflation of 11.4% last year.The inflation rate rose to 4.5% last month.Adjusted for inflation (=after taking inflation into account) real growth is estimated to be 1.8%. → asset inflation → consumer price inflation → core inflation → cost inflation → creeping inflation → demand inflation → double-digit inflation → galloping inflation → headline inflation → hyperinflation → structural inflation → underlying inflation → wage inflation → wage-push inflation → zero inflation 