YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

volatile

Adjective

IPA /ˈvɒlətaɪl/

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Meaning in plain English

Likely to change suddenly and unpredictably.

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Pronunciation

volatile/ˈvɒlətaɪl/

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Prices suddenly fall
Prices sharply rise
Another unexpected fall

Volatile prices change suddenly and unpredictably.

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The film shows how a small disagreement can turn a volatile situation into a crisis.
The company struggled to plan purchases because material prices were volatile.

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The film shows how a small disagreement can turn a ________ situation into a crisis.

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volatile — Likely to change suddenly and unpredictably.

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Likely to change suddenly and unpredictably.

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Word origin

From French volatil or Latin volatilis, related to volare, meaning to fly.

Did you know?

Volatile can describe situations, prices or moods; it also has a separate scientific meaning involving evaporation.

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