Word
fickle
Phoneticsfick·le, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɪkəɫ/
UK/fˈɪkəl/
Definitions
01changing loyalties
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. changing your mind or feelings often, especially about who you like or support.
adj. characterised by erratic changeableness or instability, particularly regarding affections, loyalties, or opinions.
“The fickle crowd cheered for the winner, even though they supported his rival yesterday.”
“In the world of professional sports, fans can be notoriously fickle, turning on a star player after a single poor performance.”
Synonyms
02unpredictable conditions
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. changing frequently and suddenly, like the weather or luck.
adj. subject to sudden and unpredictable change; often used figuratively for environmental or abstract conditions.
“We didn't go hiking because the mountain weather is too fickle in April.”
“The startup's success depended entirely on the fickle nature of consumer trends, which shifted before the product even launched.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“In a place known for its fickle weather, eclipse watchers took a risk.” “August results may be notoriously fickle and this may seem like years ago by November, but the win was no fluke.” Etymology
From Middle English fikil, fikel, from Old English ficol (“fickle, cunning, tricky, deceitful”), equivalent to fike + -le. More at fike.
From Middle English fikelen, from fikel (“fickle”); see above. Cognate with Low German fikkelen (“to deceive, flatter”), German ficklen, ficheln (“to deceive, flatter”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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