# volatility

/ˌvɑɫəˈtɪɫəti/ (US) · /vˌɒlɐtˈɪlɪti/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. financial markets

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

how much and how quickly the price of something, like a stock, goes up and down.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. unpredictable behavior

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the quality of changing your mood or behavior suddenly and often.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. computing memory

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. chemical evaporation

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

how easily a liquid turns into a gas or vapor.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The stock market is experiencing high volatility this week.
- Investors are often wary of the volatility in cryptocurrency prices, as values can drop significantly within minutes.
- The political analyst warned that the inherent volatility of the region's coalition government could lead to a sudden collapse if the upcoming budget fails to pass.

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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.