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oscillate

Verb

IPA /ˈɒsɪleɪt/

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Meaning in plain English

To move repeatedly backwards and forwards between positions.

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Pronunciation

oscillate/ˈɒsɪleɪt/

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Both ways

The fan turns left
The fan turns right
The movement repeats

To oscillate is to move repeatedly backwards and forwards between positions.

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The fan oscillates slowly, sending air around the room.
The students watched the pendulum oscillate during the experiment.

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The students watched the pendulum ________ during the experiment.

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oscillate — To move repeatedly backwards and forwards between positions.

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To move repeatedly backwards and forwards between positions.

Compare: The fan oscillates slowly, sending air around the room.

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Word origin

From Latin oscillare, meaning to swing.

Did you know?

Oscillate can also describe repeated changes between contrasting feelings or opinions.

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