© 2026 Sloth Lingo. Learn easy. Lounge wisely.

monopsony

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /məˈnɒpsəni/

KK: /mənˈɑpsəni/

noun
Definition

A market condition where there is only one buyer for a product or service, while multiple sellers exist.


Example

In a monopsony, the single buyer has significant control over the price and supply of goods.


Conversation
Sloth A
Have you ever heard of a monopsony?
Sloth B
Yeah, I read about it in my economics class.
Sloth A
It's interesting how it affects the job market, right?
Sloth B
Definitely! It changes the dynamics between employers and employees.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
buyer
purchaser
client
Antonyms
seller
vendor
supplier
Root Explanation

Monopsony → It is formed from "mono-" (meaning single or one) and "opsonia" (from Greek, meaning to purchase or buy). The word describes a market situation where there is only one buyer for a product or service.

Memory Tip

Think of 'mono-' meaning 'one' and 'opsonia' relating to 'buying' — this helps you remember that a monopsony is a market with a single buyer.

Visually Confused Words

No commonly confused words.

Is this page helpful?