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

Amid rising French sovereign debt pressures and inflation remaining above target, such continuity could reduce market anxieties over abrupt policy shifts while mitigating potential volatility across European bond markets. — CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026

What’s missing is danger, or at least volatility, but those mostly belong to the young. — Megan Buerger, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026

Wall Street’s fear gauge, the VIX, which measures expectations for volatility, surged 50% and hit its highest level in seven months. — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

That volatility has made Michigan a critical test of each party’s ability to assemble a statewide coalition that extends beyond its presidential base. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026

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