Synonyms

fluctuation

American

[fluhk-choo-ey-shuhn] / ˌflʌk tʃuˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

continual change from one point or condition to another.
wavelike motion; undulation.
Genetics. a body variation due to environmental factors and not inherited.

Usage

What does fluctuation mean? Fluctuation is continual change.It’s a noun form of the verb fluctuate, meaning to continually change or shift back and forth.Fluctuation is most commonly used in the context of abstract or intangible things that frequently change, such as temperature, the stock market, or someone’s mood.Example: The fluctuation of the volume on my TV is really annoying—it gets louder during commercials and then it gets quiet again when the show comes back on.

Other Word Forms

nonfluctuation noun

Etymology

Origin of fluctuation

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin fluctuātiōn- (stem of fluctuātiō ) a fluctuation, wavering. See fluctuate, -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

These unwanted fluctuations interfere with signals and limit accuracy.

From Science Daily

Over the course of the past year, the stock has experienced wild fluctuations amid investor concerns around its debt load, customer concentration and business-model sustainability.

From MarketWatch

“The market is capable of absorbing risks related to exchange-rate fluctuations,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Exchange-rate fluctuations are one of the key factors that significantly affect our nation’s economy and price conditions,” Ueda told parliament on Monday.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023