# fickle

/ˈfɪkəɫ/ (US) · /fˈɪkəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fickle
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 2. unpredictable conditions

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

likely to change suddenly and unexpectedly, like the weather.

For teachers: subject to sudden or unpredictable change; often applied to weather, fortune, or fate.

- We cancelled the hike because the mountain weather is too fickle in the spring.
- The sailors were wary of the fickle winds, which could shift from a gentle breeze to a gale without warning.

## Examples

- The weather here is very fickle.
- Success in the fashion industry is difficult because consumer tastes are notoriously fickle and change every season.
- Politicians often struggle to maintain high approval ratings among a fickle electorate that quickly forgets past achievements when faced with immediate economic challenges.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.