fluctuate

[fluhk-choo-eyt]

verb (used without object)

fluctuated, fluctuating 

1. to change continually; shift back and forth; vary irregularly.

   The price of gold fluctuated wildly last month.

2. to move back and forth in waves.

   Synonyms: oscillate

verb (used with object)

fluctuated, fluctuating 

1. to cause to fluctuate.

fluctuate

/ ˈflʌktjʊˌeɪt /

verb

1. to change or cause to change position constantly; be or make unstable; waver or vary

2. (intr) to rise and fall like a wave; undulate

Other Word Forms

• nonfluctuating adjective
• unfluctuating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fluctuate¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin fluctuātus “undulated,” past participle of fluctuāre “to flow,” equivalent to fluctu(s) “a flowing” (derivative of fluere “to flow”) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fluctuate¹

C17: from Latin fluctuāre , from fluctus a wave, from fluere to flow

Synonym Study

See waver ¹.

Example Sentences

It’s unclear at this point how many active drivers California has, as the number fluctuates, and rideshare companies do not release the information.

From Los Angeles Times

However, these rates will "fluctuate significantly as the situation in different countries in the Middle East is volatile", adds the unnamed underwriter.

From BBC

Tariffs have fluctuated dramatically since they were introduced - and the uncertainty is proving tough for farmers, says Christopher Wolf, a professor of agricultural economics at Cornell University.

From BBC

R360 officials will have to convince media bosses that a new series spread over many time zones, with fluctuating start times, will not get lost in the schedules.

From BBC

Johnson Hall said the new approach gives the city flexibility to better calibrate funding amounts to help developers meet the fluctuating cost of projects.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• oscillate 
• seesaw 
• vary 
• veer 
• waver 

When To Use

What does fluctuate mean?

Fluctuate means to continually change or shift back and forth.The verb is most commonly used in the context of abstract or intangible things that frequently change, such as temperature, the stock market, or someone’s mood.This kind of continual change is called fluctuation.Example: The volume on my TV keeps fluctuating—it gets louder during commercials and then it gets quiet again when the show comes back on.