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.

They said that 16% growth represents a level “rarely expected at the start of any earnings season,” but justified by a favorable macro environment, rising cyclical growth drivers and a weak dollar tailwind.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

The S&P 500 remains down this year despite its recent rebound, with attractive buying opportunities in cyclical and quality growth stocks, according to Morgan Stanley.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

"I wanted the repetition to mirror those cyclical thoughts - a spiral or a fixation on one specific feeling," she says.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

A lazy cyclical view of events sets in.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

I had been educated in the rhythms of the mountain, rhythms in which change was never fundamental, only cyclical.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

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