volatile
[ vol-uh-tl, -til or, especially British, -tahyl ]
/ ˈvɒl ə tl, -tɪl or, especially British, -ˌtaɪl /
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adjective
noun
a volatile substance, as a gas or solvent.
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Origin of volatile
OTHER WORDS FROM volatile
vol·a·til·i·ty [vol-uh-til-i-tee], /ˌvɒl əˈtɪl ɪ ti/, vol·a·tile·ness, nounnon·vol·a·til·i·ty, nounsem·i·vol·a·tile, adjectiveun·vol·a·tile, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for volatile
British Dictionary definitions for volatile
volatile
/ (ˈvɒləˌtaɪl) /
adjective
noun
a volatile substance
rare a winged creature
Derived forms of volatile
volatileness or volatility (ˌvɒləˈtɪlɪtɪ), nounWord Origin for volatile
C17: from Latin volātīlis flying, from volāre to fly
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
Medical definitions for volatile
volatile
[ vŏl′ə-tl, -tīl′ ]
adj.
Evaporating readily at normal temperatures and pressures.
That can be readily vaporized.
Tending to violence; explosive, as of behavior.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for volatile
volatile
[ vŏl′ə-tl ]
Changing easily from liquid to vapor at normal temperatures and pressures. Essential oils used in perfumes are highly volatile.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.