fluctuation

Fluctuation is continual change.

It’s a noun form of the verb fluctuate, meaning to continually change or shift back and forth.

Fluctuation 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.

Example: The fluctuation of the volume on my TV is really annoying—it gets louder during commercials and then it gets quiet again when the show comes back on.

The first records of the word fluctuation come from the 1400s. It ultimately comes from the Latin verb fluctuāre, meaning “to flow,” from fluctus, “a wave.”

Waves in the ocean are always in motion, rising, falling, going back and forth—they’re always in a state of fluctuation. Still, fluctuation is most commonly applied to nonphysical things. The amount of money in your bank account will fluctuate as you make deposits and withdrawals. Fluctuation may be predictable or unpredictable. In deserts, there is often an extreme but regular fluctuation in temperature between the day, when it’s very hot, and the night, when it can get very cold. But the fluctuation of a person’s mood—between happy and grumpy, for example—might happen much more unpredictably.

Things known for their fluctuation can be said to be in a state of flux—continuous change. (The word flux comes from the same root as fluctuation).

What are some other forms related to fluctuation?

• fluctuate (verb)
• nonfluctuation (noun)

What are some synonyms for fluctuation?

• variation
• oscillation
• vacillation
• change
• undulation

What are some words that share a root or word element with fluctuation? 

• flux

What are some words that often get used in discussing fluctuation?

• temperature
• up-and-down
• back-and-forth
• mood
• stock market
• movement
• price
• movement
• seesaw
• vary
• waver
• between

Fluctuation can be used in all kinds of contexts, but it’s most often used in discussion of intangible things.

Aside from a little fluctuation in temperature, not much change in store for the next week or so. pic.twitter.com/TEXYaSyRqL

— NWS Raleigh (@NWSRaleigh) July 12, 2016

My tumblr activity bears a striking resemblance to my mood fluctuation. pic.twitter.com/A0fLA6AIPX

— ☾ (@LoganBerryz) March 13, 2014

lol the stock market is so dumb

TSLA opened an outrageous +15% pushing shares to nearly $1,800 and now, 4 hours later, it is below today’s opening price.

$50 BILLION market cap fluctuation in 4 hours.

— Quinn Nelson (@SnazzyQ) July 13, 2020

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym for fluctuation? 

A. variation
B. vacillation
C. persistence
D. oscillation