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
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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
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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:
Revenues fluctuate but now are largely the same, around 17%.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2026
The prices of most major cryptocurrencies fell on the news, except for the stablecoins, which by definition can only fluctuate within tight margins.
From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026
Although stock prices fluctuate, Zuckerberg could face a tax liability of roughly $12 billion based on his net worth.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
Yes, they will fluctuate on any given day, week or month, as the news cycle pushes and pulls your stocks three ways from Friday.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 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
It population fluctuates but more than 1,000 people can be based there at any given time.
From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026
However, because Antarctic ice coverage naturally fluctuates considerably from year to year, researchers remain uncertain whether this gradual increase reflected a meaningful long-term change.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
As packages are unveiled and sold, available inventory on the website fluctuates — which means fans can spend a lot of time checking and rechecking.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
The Northwestern figure fluctuates depending on economic and political events.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 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
Prices have always fluctuated; coupons have always rewarded some shoppers more than others.
From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2026
Market expectations for another Fed rate hike in October have fluctuated since then.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
It has fluctuated around that threshold since, with the trajectory largely following oil prices for months.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026
Asian markets fluctuated, though tech firms continued to enjoy a recovery from July's rout, as the AI boom returns to the fore.
From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026
Innovation in China too fluctuated markedly with time.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
But for Musk that’s a relatively trivial amount, even though his fluctuating trillionaire status is currently hovering below the threshold for designation.
From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026
Rising labor costs, shipping snarls and fluctuating tariffs are driving custom home-renovation bills to eye-popping heights.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 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
Jake gave her the extended five-day forecast complete with information about the fluctuating barometric pressure.
From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein
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