fluctuation

[ fluhk-choo-ey-shuhn ]

noun

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

Other Words From

• nonfluc·tu·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fluctuation¹

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

Example Sentences

Your research adviser suggested that it may just have been random fluctuations from two sources.

From FiveThirtyEight

That indefiniteness is known as “quantum uncertainty,” and, unfortunately also as “quantum fluctuation.”

From Nautilus

In that case, the wild fluctuations in the polls from, say, 1976 or 1988 might not be as relevant.

From FiveThirtyEight

It’s possible that some of the fluctuations in weekly claims aren’t that meaningful at this point, since the numbers are so huge.

From FiveThirtyEight

So if we use GSC data to measure brand, we might be able to see some fluctuations in interest but, if we’re using Google Analytics terminology, our data is basically sampled at 15%.

From Search Engine Land

Side effects may include recession, job contraction, 401(k) bruising, recurrent Dow fluctuation, and IRA bleeding.

From The Daily Beast

With each wobbly, distorted bass riff and womp-womp-womp robotic fluctuation, bodies explode in epileptic fits.

From The Daily Beast

That kind of sheer fluctuation in itself introduces systemic risk.

From The Daily Beast

One disadvantage of this system was the fluctuation of the value of the tobacco, based upon the law of supply and demand.

From Project Gutenberg

Her religion was a deep, smooth, current without fluctuation.

From Project Gutenberg

Fluctuation in water level seemed especially important in determining distribution of fishes in the area studied.

From Project Gutenberg

Every week new price lists were prepared so as to cover new fluctuation of cost to the retailer.

From Project Gutenberg

Who has developed the currents, those regular fluctuation of the abysses into which we never descend?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• variation

More About Fluctuation

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.

Where does fluctuation come from?

The first records of the word fluctuation come from the 1400s. It ultimately comes from the Latin verb fluctuāre, meaning “to flow,” from fluctus, “a wave.”

Waves in the ocean are always in motion, rising, falling, going back and forth—they’re always in a state of fluctuation. Still, fluctuation is most commonly applied to nonphysical things. The amount of money in your bank account will fluctuate as you make deposits and withdrawals. Fluctuation may be predictable or unpredictable. In deserts, there is often an extreme but regular fluctuation in temperature between the day, when it’s very hot, and the night, when it can get very cold. But the fluctuation of a person’s mood—between happy and grumpy, for example—might happen much more unpredictably.

Things known for their fluctuation can be said to be in a state of flux—continuous change. (The word flux comes from the same root as fluctuation).

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to fluctuation?

• fluctuate (verb)
• nonfluctuation (noun)

What are some synonyms for fluctuation?

• variation
• oscillation
• vacillation
• change
• undulation

What are some words that share a root or word element with fluctuation? 

• flux

What are some words that often get used in discussing fluctuation?

• temperature
• up-and-down
• back-and-forth
• mood
• stock market
• movement
• price
• movement
• seesaw
• vary
• waver
• between

How is fluctuation used in real life?

Fluctuation can be used in all kinds of contexts, but it’s most often used in discussion of intangible things.

Aside from a little fluctuation in temperature, not much change in store for the next week or so. pic.twitter.com/TEXYaSyRqL

— NWS Raleigh (@NWSRaleigh) July 12, 2016

My tumblr activity bears a striking resemblance to my mood fluctuation. pic.twitter.com/A0fLA6AIPX

— ☾ (@LoganBerryz) March 13, 2014

lol the stock market is so dumb

TSLA opened an outrageous +15% pushing shares to nearly $1,800 and now, 4 hours later, it is below today’s opening price.

$50 BILLION market cap fluctuation in 4 hours.

— Quinn Nelson (@SnazzyQ) July 13, 2020

 

 

Try using fluctuation!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym for fluctuation? 

A. variation
B. vacillation
C. persistence
D. oscillation