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

The overall number of Neets tends to fluctuate throughout the year.

Read more on BBC

Still, after a tough run in recent sessions, Asia enjoyed a little stability as markets fluctuated between gains and losses.

Read more on Barron's

The discount retailer on Tuesday said its financial results could continue to fluctuate from quarter to quarter as more merchant support initiatives and ecosystem investments are rolled out.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Food prices tend to fluctuate more than other kinds of goods, meaning some relief is likely, especially given attention on the issue, economists said.

Read more on BBC

Sam Farmer’s pick: Both these teams fluctuate between looking very good and very vulnerable.

Read more on 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.