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View synonyms for volatile

volatile

[ vol-uh-tl, -tilor, especially British, -tahyl ]

adjective

  1. evaporating rapidly; passing off readily in the form of vapor:

    Acetone is a volatile solvent.

  2. tending or threatening to break out into open violence; explosive:

    a volatile political situation.

    Synonyms: unsettled, unstable, eruptive

  3. changeable; mercurial; flighty:

    a volatile disposition.

  4. (of prices, values, etc.) tending to fluctuate sharply and regularly:

    volatile market conditions.

  5. fleeting; transient:

    volatile beauty.

  6. Computers. of or relating to storage that does not retain data when electrical power is turned off or fails.
  7. able to fly or flying.


noun

  1. a volatile substance, as a gas or solvent.

volatile

/ ˌvɒləˈtɪlɪtɪ; ˈvɒləˌtaɪl /

adjective

  1. (of a substance) capable of readily changing from a solid or liquid form to a vapour; having a high vapour pressure and a low boiling point
  2. (of persons) disposed to caprice or inconstancy; fickle; mercurial
  3. (of circumstances) liable to sudden, unpredictable, or explosive change
  4. lasting only a short time

    volatile business interests

  5. computing (of a memory) not retaining stored information when the power supply is cut off
  6. obsolete.
    flying or capable of flight; volant
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a volatile substance
  2. rare.
    a winged creature
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

volatile

/ vŏlə-tl /

  1. Changing easily from liquid to vapor at normal temperatures and pressures. Essential oils used in perfumes are highly volatile.
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Derived Forms

  • ˈvolatileness, noun
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Other Words From

  • vol·a·til·i·ty [vol-, uh, -, til, -i-tee], vola·tile·ness noun
  • nonvol·a·tili·ty noun
  • semi·vola·tile adjective
  • un·vola·tile adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of volatile1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin volātilis, equivalent to volāt(us) “flown,” past participle of volāre “to fly” + -ilis -ile
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Word History and Origins

Origin of volatile1

C17: from Latin volātīlis flying, from volāre to fly
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Example Sentences

As of Thursday afternoon, the famously volatile Bitcoin has dropped below $100,000.

From Salon

"It’s volatile, unpredictable and is driven by speculation, none of which makes for a sleep-at-night investment."

From BBC

Some were concerned about the potential conflicts of interest inherent in a government program investing in the stock market; others that the returns from market investments are too volatile.

In voice-over narration, Angela communicated directly to the audience and shared her innermost thoughts — sometimes eloquent, sometimes inane but always authentic to the volatile experience of being a teenager.

China says it has steadied a volatile city.

From BBC

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