Main Entry:

fluc·tu·ate

Pronunciation:

\ˈflək-chə-ˌwāt, -chü-ˌāt\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

fluc·tu·at·ed; fluc·tu·at·ing

Etymology:

Latin fluctuatus, past participle of fluctuare, from fluctus flow, wave, from fluere — more at fluid

Date:

1634

intransitive verb 1 : to shift back and forth uncertainly 2 : to ebb and flow in waves transitive verb : to cause to fluctuate

synonyms see swing

— fluc·tu·a·tion \ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-shən, -chü-ˈā-\ noun

— fluc·tu·a·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective