in ‧ fla ‧ tion S3 W2 /ɪnˈfleɪʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ inflatable , ↑ inflated , ↑ inflationary , ↑ deflationary , ↑ reflationary ; noun : ↑ inflation , ↑ inflatable , ↑ deflation , ↑ reflation ; verb : ↑ inflate , ↑ deflate , ↑ reflate ]
1 . a continuing increase in prices, or the rate at which prices increase:
Inflation is now at over 16%.
2 . the process of filling something with air
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + inflation
▪ low
France had achieved low inflation and steady growth.
▪ high
Inflation remained high throughout this period.
▪ annual inflation
Annual inflation in 1990 was 8.1%.
▪ rising inflation
The 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 + NOUN
▪ the inflation rate/the rate of inflation
The current inflation rate stands at 4.1%.
▪ the inflation figures
April's inflation figures are likely to show a further fall.
■ verbs
▪ cause/lead to inflation
Too 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 inflation
An economic plan to combat inflation was drawn up.
▪ reduce inflation/get inflation down
The 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 rises
Inflation rose steadily from the mid-1960s
▪ inflation falls
Inflation 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.