Word
fluctuate
Phoneticsfluc·tu·ate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɫəktʃəˌweɪt/
UK/flˈʌktʃuːˌeɪt/
Definitions
01to vary irregularly
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to change often, especially by rising and falling in amount or level.
v. 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.”
02to be indecisive
C1 · Advanced Formal · Literary
v. to keep changing your mind or your feelings about something.
v. 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.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“It hopes plug-in solar panels will help households save money and reduce reliance on overseas fuel sources, the price of which has fluctuated in recent months due to the Middle East conflict.” “All of these measures work to prevent the temperature fluctuating inside the house - in winter and summer - so much less energy is used.” Etymology
First attested in the 1630'; borrowed from Latin flūctuātus, perfect passive participle of flūctuō (“(of the sea) to surge, swell; (of man) to waver, fluctuate”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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