volatile oil

American  

noun

1. a distilled oil, especially one obtained from plant tissue, as distinguished from glyceride oils by their volatility and failure to saponify.

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volatile oil British  

noun

1. another name for essential oil

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Etymology

Origin of volatile oil

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

"People are recognising they want energy independence - they don't want to be in the hands of a volatile oil and gas market."

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

Governments from the U.K. to South Korea have vowed in recent weeks to deploy more clean energy to reduce their exposure to volatile oil and gas prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Most Stock markets in the Gulf dropped in early trade on Monday amid volatile oil prices, while Qatar and Saudi bucked the trend.

From Reuters • Sep. 4, 2023

Setting the price will require aligning the complex array of economic and diplomatic forces that govern volatile oil markets.

From New York Times • Sep. 16, 2022

Other aromatic members are Andropogon Nardus, a native of India, but also cultivated, the rhizome, leaves and especially the spikelets of which contain a volatile oil, which on distillation yields the citronella oil of commerce.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 3 "Gordon, Lord George" to "Grasses" by Various