fluctuate
[ fluhk-choo-eyt ]
/ ˈflʌk tʃuˌeɪt /
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verb (used without object), fluc·tu·at·ed, fluc·tu·at·ing.
to change continually; shift back and forth; vary irregularly: The price of gold fluctuated wildly last month.
to move back and forth in waves.
verb (used with object), fluc·tu·at·ed, fluc·tu·at·ing.
to cause to fluctuate.
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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-ate1
synonym study for fluctuate
1. See waver1.
OTHER WORDS FROM fluctuate
non·fluc·tu·at·ing, adjectiveun·fluc·tu·at·ing, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use fluctuate in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for fluctuate
fluctuate
/ (ˈflʌktjʊˌeɪt) /
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
Word Origin for fluctuate
C17: from Latin fluctuāre, from fluctus a wave, from fluere to flow
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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