Rentier
noun
A person who lives off income from renting out property or investing money rather than working.
He was a rentier, gaining income from his apartment rentals.
Often appears as...
- rentier capitalism
- rentier state
noun
A state or country that gets all or most of its revenue from foreign companies, through the sale of natural resources.
Certain oil-rich countries can be classified as rentier states.
Often appears as...
- rentier state theory
- rentier economy
Usage tips
Academic
noun
A person who lives off income from renting out property or investing money rather than working.
He was a rentier, gaining income from his apartment rentals.
Often appears as...
- rentier capitalism
- rentier state
noun
A state or country that gets all or most of its revenue from foreign companies, through the sale of natural resources.
Certain oil-rich countries can be classified as rentier states.
Often appears as...
- rentier state theory
- rentier economy
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Passive Income
Rentier often implies earning without actively working, stressing passive income.
After retiring, he became a rentier, living comfortably on investment returns.
Pro Tip 2/3Property Context
Use rentier when referring to income specifically from properties, not other types of investments.
Renting out several houses made her a successful rentier.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Sometimes 'rentier' has a negative connotation, seen as unearned wealth.
Protesters criticized the wealthy rentiers, who profited without contributing labor.
Pro Tip 1/3Passive Income
Rentier often implies earning without actively working, stressing passive income.
After retiring, he became a rentier, living comfortably on investment returns.
Pro Tip 2/3Property Context
Use rentier when referring to income specifically from properties, not other types of investments.
Renting out several houses made her a successful rentier.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Sometimes 'rentier' has a negative connotation, seen as unearned wealth.
Protesters criticized the wealthy rentiers, who profited without contributing labor.
Pro Tip 1/3Passive Income
Rentier often implies earning without actively working, stressing passive income.
After retiring, he became a rentier, living comfortably on investment returns.
Pro Tip 2/3Property Context
Use rentier when referring to income specifically from properties, not other types of investments.
Renting out several houses made her a successful rentier.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Sometimes 'rentier' has a negative connotation, seen as unearned wealth.
Protesters criticized the wealthy rentiers, who profited without contributing labor.
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