Word
volatility
Phoneticsvolatil·i·ty
US/ˌvɑɫəˈtɪɫəti/
UK/vˌɒlɐtˈɪlɪti/
Definitions
01financial markets
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Finance Technical
n. how much and how quickly the price of something, like a stock, goes up and down.
n. a statistical measure of the dispersion of returns for a given security or market index, representing the degree of price variation over time.
“The stock market saw high volatility this week as investors worried about the economy.”
“Increased market volatility often prompts institutional investors to hedge their positions against sudden downward price movements.”
Usage
Often used with 'high', 'low', or 'market'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02unpredictable behavior
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic
n. the quality of changing your mood or behavior suddenly and often.
n. the quality of being subject to frequent, rapid, and unpredictable change, especially in emotional temperament or social situations.
“The volatility of his temper made it difficult for his colleagues to work with him.”
“Political analysts expressed concern over the volatility of public opinion in the weeks leading up to the referendum.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03computing memory
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Computing Technical
n. the quality of computer memory that loses its data when the power is turned off.
n. the property of a storage device or memory type that requires a continuous power supply to maintain the stored information.
“RAM is known for its volatility, meaning you lose unsaved work if the computer crashes.”
“The architectural distinction between primary storage and secondary storage is defined largely by the volatility of the former.”
Antonyms
04chemical evaporation
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. how easily a liquid turns into a gas or vapor.
n. the tendency of a substance to vaporize, directly related to a substance's vapor pressure at a given temperature.
“The high volatility of gasoline means it catches fire very easily.”
“The laboratory technician measured the relative volatility of the solvents to determine which would evaporate most efficiently under vacuum.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Hannbeck said there had been some price volatility – notably in summer 2025 the cost of Mounjaro more than doubled – but the market was becoming more competitive.” “The volatility caused by escalation shows how even a limited war with just two parties that starts with lower loss of life can grow into a much bigger one.” Etymology
From volatile + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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