volatile
Americanadjective
-
evaporating rapidly; passing off readily in the form of vapor.
Acetone is a volatile solvent.
-
tending or threatening to break out into open violence; explosive.
a volatile political situation.
-
changeable; mercurial; flighty.
a volatile disposition.
-
(of prices, values, etc.) tending to fluctuate sharply and regularly.
volatile market conditions.
-
fleeting; transient.
volatile beauty.
-
Computers. of or relating to storage that does not retain data when electrical power is turned off or fails.
-
able to fly or flying.
noun
adjective
-
(of a substance) capable of readily changing from a solid or liquid form to a vapour; having a high vapour pressure and a low boiling point
-
(of persons) disposed to caprice or inconstancy; fickle; mercurial
-
(of circumstances) liable to sudden, unpredictable, or explosive change
-
lasting only a short time
volatile business interests
-
computing (of a memory) not retaining stored information when the power supply is cut off
-
obsolete flying or capable of flight; volant
noun
-
a volatile substance
-
rare a winged creature
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of volatile
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin volātilis, equivalent to volāt(us) “flown,” past participle of volāre “to fly” + -ilis -ile
Explanation
Watch out when a situation becomes volatile — it is likely to change for the worse suddenly. If you and your best friend have a volatile relationship, you frequently fight and make up. Volatile from Latin volatilis, "fleeting, transitory," always gives the sense of sudden, radical change. Think of it as the opposite of stable. A person who is volatile loses his or her temper suddenly and violently. A volatile political situation could erupt into civil war. When the stock market is volatile, it fluctuates greatly. And in scientific language, a volatile oil evaporates quickly.
Vocabulary lists containing volatile
Words from "The Avengers"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Words: November 11 - 17, 2017
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
“Negotiations remained volatile over the weekend, even as the traffic recovery reflected the new interim framework,” they wrote in a Monday client note.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 22, 2026
Over the past two decades, global cobalt supply vulnerabilities have become more volatile while generally rising, driven by growing concentration within the supply chain and imbalances between supply and demand.
From Science Daily • Jun. 20, 2026
Wood said the redesigned footwear altered Reid’s posture and movement, helping create a version of Lestat that she noted feels more volatile and more comfortable captivating a crowd than charming one.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 20, 2026
“The plan builds on the progress of recent years and aligns the group for a permanently volatile market environment and a scenario of stable delivery volumes,” the company said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026
“Nearly ten gallons of a volatile transporting agent: Regim Ignaul Neratum. ”
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
