Synonyms

cyclical

American

[sahy-kli-kuhl, sik-li-] / ˈsaɪ klɪ kəl, ˈsɪk lɪ- /

adjective

cyclic.
of or denoting a business or stock whose income, value, or earnings fluctuate widely according to variations in the economy or the cycle of the seasons.

Selling Christmas decorations is a cyclical business.

noun

Usually cyclicals. stocks of cyclical companies.

Other Word Forms

cyclicality noun
cyclically adverb
noncyclical adjective
noncyclically adverb
procyclical adjective

Etymology

Origin of cyclical

First recorded in 1810–20; cyclic + -al ¹

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.

The demand for AI chips is driving the need for memory components, and because the memory market is cyclical, suppliers including Micron have been hesitant to add more capacity.

From MarketWatch

Some of this friction is inevitable; care tasks are cyclical, after all, and no system abolishes effort entirely.

From Salon

Some investors may need to be reminded that the semiconductor industry is cyclical.

From MarketWatch

The Gavekal team, in a separate year-end briefing, also flags reflation risk—but sees it as an opportunity, particularly in cyclical stocks that have been left in the bargain bin.

From Barron's

It is slower, less cyclical, and less visible in consumer data.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023