volatile

American  

[vol-uh-tl, -til, -tahyl] / ˈvɒl ə tl, -tɪl, -ˌtaɪl /

adjective

1. evaporating rapidly; passing off readily in the form of vapor.

   Acetone is a volatile solvent.

2. tending or threatening to break out into open violence; explosive.

   a volatile political situation.

   Synonyms:

   unsettled, unstable, eruptive

3. changeable; mercurial; flighty.

   a volatile disposition.

4. (of prices, values, etc.) tending to fluctuate sharply and regularly.

   volatile market conditions.

5. fleeting; transient.

   volatile beauty.

6. Computers. of or relating to storage that does not retain data when electrical power is turned off or fails.

7. able to fly or flying.

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noun

1. a volatile substance, as a gas or solvent.

volatile British  

/ ˌvɒləˈtɪlɪtɪ, ˈvɒləˌtaɪl /

adjective

1. (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

2. (of persons) disposed to caprice or inconstancy; fickle; mercurial

3. (of circumstances) liable to sudden, unpredictable, or explosive change

4. lasting only a short time

   volatile business interests

5. computing (of a memory) not retaining stored information when the power supply is cut off

6. obsolete flying or capable of flight; volant

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noun

1. a volatile substance

2. rare a winged creature

volatile Scientific  

/ vŏl′ə-tl /

1. Changing easily from liquid to vapor at normal temperatures and pressures. Essential oils used in perfumes are highly volatile.

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Other Word Forms

• nonvolatility noun
• semivolatile adjective
• unvolatile adjective
• volatileness noun
• volatility noun

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

Example Sentences

"It is increasingly clear that as the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union," he said.

From BBC

Domestic demand, investment, electrical and electronics exports as well as tourism continue to support growth, though businesses might still face cost pressures from volatile commodity prices, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal

Oil prices dropped sharply Wednesday after a volatile day of trading as investors assessed the likelihood of war ending and of tanker traffic resuming through a contested waterway.

From MarketWatch

As such, he expects the S&P 500 to remain volatile, limited upside followed by swift corrections.

From MarketWatch

Futures markets indicate traders are now lined up behind wagers that the Fed’s rate target will end the year flat, although these trades have been volatile in recent weeks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• capricious
• elusive
• erratic
• fickle
• resilient
• ticklish
• unsettled
• unstable