fluctuate
Americanverb (used without object)
-
fluctuates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
fluctuated,
past participle, past
-
fluctuating
present participle
-
to change continually; shift back and forth; vary irregularly.
The price of gold fluctuated wildly last month.
-
to move back and forth in waves.
- Synonyms:
- oscillate
verb (used with object)
-
fluctuates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
fluctuated,
past participle, past
-
fluctuating
present participle
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
Usage
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.
Synonym Usage
See waver 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
fluctuatesimple
-
fluctuatessimple
-
have fluctuatedperfect
-
has fluctuatedperfect
-
am fluctuatingprogressive
-
are fluctuatingprogressive
-
is fluctuatingprogressive
-
have been fluctuatingperfect progressive
-
has been fluctuatingperfect progressive
Past
-
fluctuatedsimple
-
had fluctuatedperfect
-
was fluctuatingprogressive
-
were fluctuatingprogressive
-
had been fluctuatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
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 -ate 1
Explanation
Something that fluctuates varies or changes — it's the opposite of steady. Like the ups and downs of the stock market or the relationship status of a Hollywood starlet. Fluctuate is a verb that describes movement, sometimes irregular, but often rising and falling in a wave-like pattern. The tides fluctuate according to the weather and season, for example. Your emotions fluctuate depending on what happens throughout the day, and so does your weight. In fact, you usually weigh less in the morning, before you've eaten. You're also taller, since your spine compresses as you walk around. So your height fluctuates, too.
Vocabulary lists containing fluctuate
Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
List 3
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Darius the Great Is Not Okay
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He also noted that an individual’s T levels fluctuate constantly and can be affected by stress and poor sleep.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026
A spokesperson for South Australia's Department of Primary Industries and Regions said cuttlefish populations "naturally fluctuate" depending on environmental conditions.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
However, the photons in each type of light fluctuate and interact in different ways.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 8, 2026
The secondary market allows fans to re-sell their tickets, potentially opening chances to see sold-through or popular sports, but the prices could fluctuate drastically.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
The frontiers between the three superstates are in some places arbitrary, and in others they fluctuate according to the fortunes of war, but in general they follow geographical lines.
From "1984" by George Orwell
The Gauchos have a roster that fluctuates among 24 varsity players, but more and more are showing up to join the team. and others are waiting to be cleared depending on the 10-week report cards.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026
The Northwestern figure fluctuates depending on economic and political events.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026
It’s one of the largest concentrations of capybaras in São Paulo, though its exact number of members fluctuates.
From Slate ● May 27, 2026
However, the market price of such funds could vary greatly from the net value of their assets, Mishra noted, as trading in those fund shares fluctuates based on investor demand.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 16, 2026
In addition, receptivity to innovation fluctuates in time within the same region.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
After the cryptocurrency was first released, back in 2009, its price had fluctuated between nothing and $1 for over two years.
From Slate ● Sep. 20, 2026
On Friday, stocks fluctuated between modest gains and losses.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
The share-price performances of hyperscalers like Amazon and Alphabet have fluctuated due to sentiment over the AI boom.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026
Leclerc stayed out, and led the race with Antonelli close behind but the gap fluctuated as the Mercedes driver managed his tyres.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026
The geographic boundaries of the political/social spheres that could usefully be grouped as “Europe” or “China” fluctuated over the centuries.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Reckitt has been investing in the U.S. to get new products to customers faster and meet fluctuating drug demand as the timing of each year’s cold and flu season shifts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
Keep in mind that a bond fund has a fluctuating share price that will move in the opposite direction of interest rates.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026
Police figures show that oil thefts in Northern Ireland peaked around Russia's invasion of Ukraine and have been fluctuating ever since.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
The volatile supply situation has weighed on ordinary drivers, with prices and availability fluctuating at each petrol station across the country.
From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026
I think that voice held him most with its fluctuating, feverish warmth because it couldn't be over-dreamed--that voice was a deathless song.
From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
