fluctuate
[ fluhk-choo-eyt ]
/ ˈflʌk tʃuˌeɪt /
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
1625–35; < Latin fluctuātus undulated, past participle of fluctuāre to flow, equivalent to fluctu(s) a flowing (derivative of fluere to flow) + -ātus -ate1
OTHER WORDS FROM fluctuate
non·fluc·tu·at·ing, adjectiveun·fluc·tu·at·ing, adjectiveWords nearby fluctuate
flra, flu, flub, flubdub, fluctuant, fluctuate, fluctuation, flucytosine, fludrocortisone acetate, flue, flue gas
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for fluctuating
British Dictionary definitions for fluctuating
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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