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REFERENCE

volatile

adj. · n.
US //ˈvɑɫətəɫ// UK //vˈɒlɐtˌaɪl// volatile
  1. 1 unpredictable mood or situation (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    likely to change suddenly and unexpectedly, especially by becoming violent or angry.

    characterised by or subject to rapid and unexpected change, often of an emotional or situational nature.

    Example

    The political situation in the region remains volatile after the recent elections.

    Example

    The witness described a volatile domestic environment where minor disagreements frequently escalated into physical confrontations.
  2. 2 financial markets (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Finance

    changing quickly and often, especially in value or price.

    tending to fluctuate sharply and regularly in value or price.

    Example

    Investors are worried about the volatile stock market this month.

    Example

    The central bank warned that volatile exchange rates could undermine the recovery of the export sector over the next fiscal year.
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  1. 3 chemistry (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    describing a liquid that changes into a gas very easily.

    evaporating rapidly at normal temperatures and pressures.

    Example

    Petrol is a volatile liquid that should be stored in a cool place.

    Example

    The laboratory technician handled the volatile solvents under a fume hood to prevent the inhalation of toxic vapours.
    • evaporative
    • non volatile
  2. 4 computing memory (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    describing computer memory that loses its data when the power is turned off.

    retaining data only as long as power is supplied; data is lost upon power termination.

    Example

    RAM is volatile memory, so you must save your work to the hard drive.

    Example

    The system architecture relies on volatile cache memory to speed up processing, though critical logs are mirrored to a persistent storage device.
  3. 5 a substance (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    a substance that changes into a gas easily.

    a substance that readily vaporises at relatively low temperatures.

    Example

    The moon's surface is very dry and contains few volatiles like water.

    Example

    Geologists analysed the volcanic gases to determine the concentration of volatiles released during the eruption.

Origin

From Middle French volatile, from Latin volātilis (“flying; swift; temporary; volatile”), from volō (“to fly”).

Word family

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