volatility

noun

vol·​a·​til·​i·​ty ˌvä-lə-ˈti-lə-tē 

plural volatilities

: the quality or state of being volatile: such as

a

: a tendency to change quickly and unpredictably

price volatility

the volatility of the stock market

b

: a tendency to erupt in violence or anger

the volatility of the region

the volatility of his temper

c

: the quality of being readily vaporizable at a fairly low temperature

As each component of crude oil has a different relative volatility, they will evaporate at different temperatures.

—Martin W. Stockel et al.

Examples of volatility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Global Demand and Geopolitical Uncertainty Rising demand in Europe and Asia is another key driver of natural gas price volatility. —Robert Rapier, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025

The uncertainty around Trump’s trade policy stirred up market volatility recently as all three major averages suffered a negative month. —Yun Li, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2025

The four-week average, which evens out some of the week-to-week volatility, climbed by 8,500 to 224,000. —CBS News, 27 Feb. 2025

Gold can also be a good option for retirees or near-retirees, as a way to protect savings and wealth in times of market volatility. —Gabriel O Rodríguez, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for volatility

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility