tiger economy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Low-frequency, domain-specific)Formal/Technical (Business, Economics, Journalism)
Quick answer
What does “tiger economy” mean?
A fast-growing developing economy in Asia, typically characterised by rapid industrialisation, export-led growth, and increasing prosperity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fast-growing developing economy in Asia, typically characterised by rapid industrialisation, export-led growth, and increasing prosperity.
A term used to describe any economy, not necessarily in Asia, that exhibits very rapid and sustained economic growth, often attributed to aggressive industrial policy, high savings rates, and a focus on manufacturing and exports.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term identically in meaning and context. Minor spelling differences (e.g., 'industrialisation' vs. 'industrialization') may appear in surrounding text.
Connotations
Identical. Both associate it strongly with East/Southeast Asian economic development.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK media and publications due to historical Commonwealth and Asian trade connections, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “tiger economy” in a Sentence
[Country] has developed into a tiger economy.The tiger economy of [Country] is booming.Analysts are watching the emerging tiger economy in [Region].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tiger economy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The region is poised to tiger-economy its way to dominance. (Non-standard, creative use)
- The country tiger-economied throughout the 1990s. (Non-standard, creative use)
American English
- The nation is attempting to tiger-economy its industrial base. (Non-standard, creative use)
- They tiger-economied by focusing on tech exports. (Non-standard, creative use)
adverb
British English
- The economy grew tiger-economy fast. (Figurative, non-standard)
American English
- The company expanded tiger-economy quickly across Asia. (Figurative, non-standard)
adjective
British English
- The country's tiger-economy status attracted vast foreign investment.
- We studied the tiger-economy model of development.
American English
- The tiger-economy phase was marked by double-digit growth.
- Investors seek tiger-economy markets for high returns.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in market reports and investment analyses to identify high-growth regions for capital allocation.
Academic
Used in economic history, development economics, and political economy to analyse models of industrial growth.
Everyday
Rare. Might appear in quality broadsheet newspapers or news documentaries.
Technical
A recognised term in economics and international business, though 'newly industrialised economy (NIE)' or 'emerging market' may be more precise.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tiger economy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tiger economy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tiger economy”
- Using it for any strong economy (e.g., Germany or the USA – these are developed, not *developing* tiger economies).
- Confusing it with 'tiger parenting' (a different metaphor).
- Incorrect plural: 'tigers economy' instead of 'tiger economies'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Generally yes, as it denotes remarkable success. However, it can carry implicit criticism if the growth is seen as unbalanced or environmentally damaging.
Yes, by metaphorical extension. For example, Ireland during the 'Celtic Tiger' period (1990s-2000s) or Chile have been called tiger economies, though the term remains most strongly associated with Asia.
'Tiger economy' is a more specific, vivid metaphor for an emerging market experiencing exceptionally rapid, sustained, and transformative industrial growth. All tiger economies are emerging markets, but not all emerging markets are tiger economies.
A fast-growing developing economy in Asia, typically characterised by rapid industrialisation, export-led growth, and increasing prosperity.
Tiger economy is usually formal/technical (business, economics, journalism) in register.
Tiger economy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪ.ɡər ɪˈkɒn.ə.mi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪ.ɡɚ ɪˈkɑː.nə.mi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Country] is the tiger that roared.”
- “From basket case to tiger economy (a common journalistic phrase).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TIGER (fast, powerful, Asian animal) running an ECONOMY (with factories and graphs) at top speed, leaving other economies in the dust.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NATION'S ECONOMY IS A POWERFUL PREDATOR (specifically a tiger).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key characteristic of a 'tiger economy'?