Advertisement
Advertisement
volatile
[ vol-uh-tl, -tilor, especially British, -tahyl ]
adjective
- evaporating rapidly; passing off readily in the form of vapor:
Acetone is a volatile solvent.
- tending or threatening to break out into open violence; explosive:
a volatile political situation.
- changeable; mercurial; flighty:
a volatile disposition.
- (of prices, values, etc.) tending to fluctuate sharply and regularly:
volatile market conditions.
- fleeting; transient:
volatile beauty.
- Computers. of or relating to storage that does not retain data when electrical power is turned off or fails.
- able to fly or flying.
noun
- a volatile substance, as a gas or solvent.
volatile
/ ˌvɒləˈtɪlɪtɪ; ˈvɒləˌtaɪl /
adjective
- (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
- (of persons) disposed to caprice or inconstancy; fickle; mercurial
- (of circumstances) liable to sudden, unpredictable, or explosive change
- lasting only a short time
volatile business interests
- computing (of a memory) not retaining stored information when the power supply is cut off
- obsolete.flying or capable of flight; volant
noun
- a volatile substance
- rare.a winged creature
volatile
/ vŏl′ə-tl /
- Changing easily from liquid to vapor at normal temperatures and pressures. Essential oils used in perfumes are highly volatile.
Derived Forms
- ˈvolatileness, noun
Other Words From
- vol·a·til·i·ty [vol-, uh, -, til, -i-tee], vola·tile·ness noun
- nonvol·a·tili·ty noun
- semi·vola·tile adjective
- un·vola·tile adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of volatile1
Example Sentences
As of Thursday afternoon, the famously volatile Bitcoin has dropped below $100,000.
"It’s volatile, unpredictable and is driven by speculation, none of which makes for a sleep-at-night investment."
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.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse