Fiscal

Definition

Fiscal is primarily an adjective meaning relating to government revenue, taxation, public spending, or financial affairs (especially budgets and accounting periods). As a noun (in certain jurisdictions), it denotes a public prosecutor or, historically, a revenue officer.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective
• Noun (juridical/archaic, region-specific)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /ˈfɪskəl/
• Respelling: FISS-kəl

British English

• IPA: /ˈfɪsk(ə)l/
• Respelling: FISS-kəl

Etymology

From Latin fiscālis “pertaining to the public treasury,” from fiscus “basket; treasury,” + the adjectival suffix -ālis (English -al).

Derivatives

• fiscally (adverb)
• fiscality (noun; rare) — the quality or condition of being fiscal/financial
• fiscalism (noun; rare) — policy emphasis on taxation and public finance
• fiscalize / fiscalise (verb; chiefly technical/rare) — to bring under fiscal or tax controls
• fiscalization / fiscalisation (noun; technical) — the act/process of imposing fiscal control (e.g., on receipts)

Synonyms

• budgetary
• financial
• tax-related
• revenue-related
• treasury
• public-finance

Antonyms

• nonfiscal
• nonfinancial
• private-sector (contextual)
• Contrast: monetary (relating to money supply/interest rates rather than public budgets)

Usage

Adjective: “The minister announced new fiscal measures to narrow the deficit.” / “The company’s fiscal year ends on March 31.” / “A fiscal stimulus can boost demand during downturns.”

Noun (region-specific): “In Scotland, the fiscal brought charges after the inquiry” (short for procurator fiscal).

Related Terms

• Fisc: The public treasury; government finances.
• Fiscal policy: Government decisions on taxation and spending.
• Monetary policy: Central bank actions on money supply and interest rates (contrasted with fiscal policy).
• Budget deficit/surplus: When expenditures exceed/fall short of revenues.
• Treasury: Government department managing public finances.

Detailed Definitions

Adjective

• Relating to public revenue, taxation, or government spending — pertaining to the raising and allocation of funds by the state.
  • Example: “Parliament debated fiscal reforms aimed at broadening the tax base.”
• Pertaining to financial matters, especially budgets or accounting periods — often in corporate or governmental contexts.
  • Example: “Earnings guidance was revised for fiscal 2026.”
• Concerning a treasury or exchequer — connected with institutions that manage public funds.
  • Example: “The fiscal authorities tightened expenditure controls.”

Noun

• (Chiefly Scotland & certain jurisdictions) A public prosecutor — especially in the phrase procurator fiscal.
  • Example: “The fiscal reviewed evidence before proceeding to court.”
• (Archaic) A revenue officer; an agent of the treasury.
  • Example: “Petitions were lodged with the fiscal responsible for the province’s accounts.”