fluctuation

American  

[fluhk-choo-ay-shuhn] / ˌflʌk tʃuˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

• fluctuations
  plural

1. continual change from one point or condition to another.

2. wavelike motion; undulation.

3. Genetics. a body variation due to environmental factors and not inherited.

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fluctuation British  

/ ˌflʌktjʊˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. constant change; vacillation; instability

2. undulation

3. a variation in an animal or plant that is determined by environment rather than heredity

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Usage

What does fluctuation mean? 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.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonfluctuation
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• fluctuations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of fluctuation

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin fluctuātiōn- (stem of fluctuātiō ) a fluctuation, wavering. See fluctuate, -ion

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Explanation

The noun fluctuation refers to the deviations along the path from one point to another. We see frequent fluctuations in the stock market, as prices go up or down, and also in the weather, which is always changing. The original form of the word fluctuation appeared as a mid-15th-century French word derived from the Latin fluctuationem, meaning "vacillation." The verb stem fluctuāre meant "to undulate," referring to waves, giving rise to the idea of change and movement that is at the heart of the word. It might help to remember that fluctuation has the same root as the word fluent, and to think of it as something flowing, with frequent change along the way.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fluctuation fluctuations

This fluctuation is due in part to Bitcoin having no intrinsic value: Like gold, it is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

From Slate ● Sep. 20, 2026

They do not predict every short-term fluctuation perfectly, but they help scientists evaluate long-term climate patterns and possible future changes.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 1, 2026

According to preliminary data from Flightradar24, a flight-tracking platform, the plane recorded a sharp fluctuation in altitude before a steep descent.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

An actuarial approach, dividing a portfolio by remaining life expectancy, can be used but introduces too much spending fluctuation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

Perhaps the universe is just a quantum fluctuation on a grand scale—an enormous singular particle that came into existence out of the ultimate vacuum.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

The method also helped separate genuine atmospheric changes from minor fluctuations and random noise in the measurements.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026

Organic growth is a closely watched industry metric that strips out the effects of currency fluctuations, acquisitions and asset sales.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

Despite these fluctuations, Musk has solidly established himself as the wealthiest person in the world, both now and compared to previous eras.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026

Elsewhere, defending champion Alcaraz overcame fluctuations in form to beat Jaume Munar and reach the Japan Open final.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

I’d never heard an animal bellow like that, with such fluctuations in tone and pitch.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

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Related Words

• variation

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