# fluctuate

/ˈfɫəktʃəˌweɪt/ (US) · /flˈʌktʃuːˌeɪt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to vary irregularly

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to change often, especially by rising and falling in amount or level.

For teachers: to shift back and forth or up and down in an irregular manner; frequently used in economic and scientific contexts.

- The price of petrol tends to fluctuate based on the cost of oil.
- Stock market indices continued to fluctuate throughout the fiscal quarter, driven by investor uncertainty regarding interest rate adjustments.

### 2. to be indecisive

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

to keep changing your mind or your feelings about something.

For teachers: to be irresolute or to waver between different opinions or courses of action.

- His mood seemed to fluctuate between excitement and deep worry.
- Public opinion began to fluctuate as conflicting reports about the policy's impact reached the mainstream media.

## Examples

- The price of gas fluctuates depending on the season.
- The stock market fluctuates daily, making it difficult for investors to predict their returns with certainty.
- While the overall trend shows a steady increase in global temperatures, local weather patterns continue to fluctuate significantly from year to year due to complex oceanic currents.

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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.