volatile

[vol-uh-tl, -til, -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

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

Other Word Forms

• volatility noun
• volatileness noun
• nonvolatility noun
• semivolatile adjective
• unvolatile 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

It is often a volatile environment where officers deal with violent people and vulnerable individuals, including young people and those with mental health issues.

From BBC

"It was very clear very quickly that it was a highly volatile selection of items," she told prosecutor Timothy Sapwell.

From BBC

Turning wood waste into gas also generates a thick, black tar composed of volatile organic compounds — which are also common contaminants following wildfires.

From Los Angeles Times

Some universities are much more exposed than others to volatile foreign student income.

From BBC

However, these rates will "fluctuate significantly as the situation in different countries in the Middle East is volatile", adds the unnamed underwriter.

From BBC

Related Words

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