volatile
VOL-uh-tul
/ˈvɒlətaɪl/
Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse; highly unstable.
In finance, indicates large price fluctuations over short periods; in chemistry, indicates rapid evaporation.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'volatilis' meaning 'fleeting' or 'flying', derived from 'volare' (to fly). It entered English in the 1600s as a chemical term for liquids that easily 'flew off' into vapor before shifting to describe fickle temperaments and fluctuating financial markets.
Word relationships
- erratic: Erratic emphasizes lacking regularity or predictability, whereas volatile emphasizes swift and violent price or state swings.
- stable: Stable indicates steady, fixed, and predictable movement or conditions.
Commonly confused with
- variable: Variable simply means capable of changing; volatile implies rapid, drastic, and unpredictable swings.
Word family
- volatility (noun): Liability to change rapidly and unpredictably.
- volatiles (noun): Substances that evaporate readily at normal temperatures.
Collocations
- volatile market
- volatile asset
- volatile price
- highly volatile
Idioms & expressions
- powder keg
- riding a roller coaster
Example sentences
- "Emerging asset classes often experience highly volatile trading sessions characterized by steep gains followed by swift drawdowns." Market Dynamics
- "Diplomats worked around the clock to stabilize the volatile situation along the disputed border." Geopolitics
- "Ether is an extremely volatile solvent that must be handled away from open flames." Chemistry Context
Memory hook
VOLATILE assets FLY up and down like a bird (volare = to fly). Flying up and down unexpectedly.
When not to use
Do not use to describe slow, deliberate, or steady shifts; volatility requires speed and unexpected direction.
Fun facts
- In modern financial economics, the VIX index—often called the 'fear gauge'—formally measures market volatility derived from option pricing.
Related words
Explore more words
volatility, Fluctuation, capricious, mutable, skittish, evanescent
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