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

noun

1. a volatile substance
2. rare.
   a winged creature

volatile

/ vŏl′ə-tl /

1. 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], vola·tile·ness noun
• nonvol·a·tili·ty noun
• semi·vola·tile adjective
• un·vola·tile adjective

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of volatile¹

C17: from Latin volātīlis flying, from volāre to fly

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From Los Angeles Times

China says it has steadied a volatile city.

From BBC

Related Words

• capricious
• elusive
• erratic
• fickle
• resilient
• ticklish
• unsettled
• unstable