rentier

noun
ren·​tier | \ räⁿ-ˈtyā How to pronounce rentier (audio) \

Definition of rentier

: a person who lives on income from property or securities

Examples of rentier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Decidedly less elite than the rentiers, they were attracted not by the potential to spend disposable income but by the natural canvas the region presented. James Mcauley, Town & Country, "The Tragic, Fascinating History of Santo Sospir," 13 Aug. 2018 Idealistic token buyers speculated that their contributions represented a down payment on a new world of unfettered interpersonal exchange, one free at last from banks and other rentiers. Gideon Lewis-kraus, WIRED, "The Blockchain: A Love Story—And a Horror Story," 18 June 2018 As with other rentier economies, private-sector activity such as construction depends heavily on public spending. Alex Dziadosz, The Atlantic, "The Economic Case Against an Independent Kurdistan," 26 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rentier.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of rentier

1798, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for rentier

French, from Old French, from rente

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More Definitions for rentier

rentier

noun
ren·​tier | \ rän-ˈtyā, ˈrän-ˌtyā How to pronounce rentier (audio) \

Legal Definition of rentier

: a person who lives on income from property or securities

History and Etymology for rentier

French, from rente income from a property, rent