fluctuate
Americanverb (used without object)
-
fluctuates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
fluctuated,
past participle, past
-
fluctuating
present participle
-
to change continually; shift back and forth; vary irregularly.
The price of gold fluctuated wildly last month.
-
to move back and forth in waves.
- Synonyms:
- oscillate
verb (used with object)
-
fluctuates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
fluctuated,
past participle, past
-
fluctuating
present participle
verb
-
to change or cause to change position constantly; be or make unstable; waver or vary
-
(intr) to rise and fall like a wave; undulate
Usage
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.
Synonym Usage
See waver 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
fluctuatesimple
-
fluctuatessimple
-
have fluctuatedperfect
-
has fluctuatedperfect
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am fluctuatingprogressive
-
are fluctuatingprogressive
-
is fluctuatingprogressive
-
have been fluctuatingperfect progressive
-
has been fluctuatingperfect progressive
Past
-
fluctuatedsimple
-
had fluctuatedperfect
-
was fluctuatingprogressive
-
were fluctuatingprogressive
-
had been fluctuatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of fluctuate
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
Explanation
Something that fluctuates varies or changes — it's the opposite of steady. Like the ups and downs of the stock market or the relationship status of a Hollywood starlet. Fluctuate is a verb that describes movement, sometimes irregular, but often rising and falling in a wave-like pattern. The tides fluctuate according to the weather and season, for example. Your emotions fluctuate depending on what happens throughout the day, and so does your weight. In fact, you usually weigh less in the morning, before you've eaten. You're also taller, since your spine compresses as you walk around. So your height fluctuates, too.
Vocabulary lists containing fluctuate
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Yes, they will fluctuate on any given day, week or month, as the news cycle pushes and pulls your stocks three ways from Friday.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026
The distinction may also help explain why some of the disks fluctuate more dramatically in infrared brightness.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026
The wealth of billionaires is tied heavily to stock prices that fluctuate, and they might take actions to reduce their taxes, the analysis said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
It matters because prices for fruit, especially high-value berries such as strawberries or blueberries can fluctuate wildly.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
The rings of concentric circles along its barrel fluctuate through a rainbow of glowing colors as the weapon powers up.
From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein
However, because Antarctic ice coverage naturally fluctuates considerably from year to year, researchers remain uncertain whether this gradual increase reflected a meaningful long-term change.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
As packages are unveiled and sold, available inventory on the website fluctuates — which means fans can spend a lot of time checking and rechecking.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
The Northwestern figure fluctuates depending on economic and political events.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026
It’s one of the largest concentrations of capybaras in São Paulo, though its exact number of members fluctuates.
From Slate ● May 27, 2026
In addition, receptivity to innovation fluctuates in time within the same region.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
After the cryptocurrency was first released, back in 2009, its price had fluctuated between nothing and $1 for over two years.
From Slate ● Sep. 20, 2026
The share-price performances of hyperscalers like Amazon and Alphabet have fluctuated due to sentiment over the AI boom.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026
Asian markets fluctuated, though tech firms continued to enjoy a recovery from July's rout, as the AI boom returns to the fore.
From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026
Since then, the number of away fans at both Ibrox and Celtic Park has fluctuated between about 800 and zero in a series of tit-for-tat moves.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
Inaccurate data from countries with high incidences of MDR have made it difficult for pharmaceutical companies to meet demand for these drugs consistently, and therefore market prices have fluctuated.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
Rising labor costs, shipping snarls and fluctuating tariffs are driving custom home-renovation bills to eye-popping heights.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
The NCA said the drop followed a "significant increase in arrests and seizures", although added "fluctuating demand" for crossings, and the French authorities preventing boat launches had also played a role.
From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026
Investors have increasingly turned to healthcare and biopharma stocks this summer as part of a rotation away from the fluctuating performance of tech and semiconductor stocks.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
Taipei, Singapore, Jakarta and and Wellington were also up, with Manila fluctuating.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
Jake gave her the extended five-day forecast complete with information about the fluctuating barometric pressure.
From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein
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