fluctuate

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verb fluc·tu·ate \ˈflək-chə-ˌwāt, -chü-ˌāt\

Definition of fluctuate

fluctuated

;

fluctuating

intransitive verb
1 : to shift back and forth uncertainly Oil prices fluctuated. Temperatures fluctuated.
2 : to rise and fall in or as if in waves The boat fluctuated on the rough sea.
transitive verb
: to cause to fluctuate

fluctuation

play \ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-shən, -chü-ˈā-\ noun

fluctuational

play \ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-shnəl, -shə-n^əl, -chü-ˈā-\ adjective

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See fluctuate defined for kids

Examples of fluctuate in a Sentence

His popularity has fluctuated during his term in office.
In the desert, the temperature fluctuates dramatically.

Recent Examples of fluctuate from the Web

In his time on the series, West cemented his place as one of the fictional town’s most delightfully eccentric characters: an oddball mayor who fluctuated between absurd darkness and disarming naiveté.

— vanityfair.com, "Family Guy Honors Adam West with Nine Minutes of Mash-up Perfection," 17 July 2017
The Kospi stock index fluctuated in Seoul after falling 0.6 percent Tuesday.

— nick wadhams, Bloomberg.com, "U.S. Says North Korea Rocket Was ICBM, Warns of UN Action," 4 July 2017
Currently, Abby’s Better Nut Butters sells about 3,000 jars of butters per month, though the number fluctuates over the year.

— wei zhou, charlotteobserver, "This Mooresville teen is a poetry-loving, home-schooled, butter business owner," 2 July 2017
Nationwide the industry fluctuates, at times taking companies down with it.

— kara carlson, The Seattle Times, "Sunset for solar incentives? Panel installers worry about industry’s outlook," 1 July 2017
Typically, shares of private companies such as Uber seldom fluctuate in value, as opportunities to trade the stock or gain liquidity are rare.

— jen wieczner, Fortune, "Uber’s Stock Was Sinking Before Investors Ousted CEO Travis Kalanick," 23 June 2017
The lake has fluctuated between 6,220.26 feet and 6,229.39 feet in the past 30 years, reaching the latter mark during a January 1997 flood, according to an article published by Sierra Sun.

— michael mcgough, sacbee.com, "With recent heat wave, Lake Tahoe water level approaches max limit," 23 June 2017
Enrollment at Maple has fluctuated in the past five years, while Spring Hill has experienced a 16 percent decline since the 2012-13 school year, according to the Indiana Department of Education.

— kirsten clark, The Courier-Journal, "Greater Clark and Jeff mayor announce 'potential plan' for Maple and Spring Hill," 20 June 2017
Midwesterners are a sturdy lot, able to withstand fluctuating temps, surprising weather patterns and severe stuff like tornadoes, floods and drought.

— anna thomas bates, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "If you can't take the heat, take to your grill," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fluctuate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fluctuate

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1604

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of fluctuate

swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite. swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side. the door suddenly swung open sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement. trees swaying in the breeze oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction. an oscillating fan vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact. the vibrating strings of a piano fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value. fluctuating interest rates waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering. the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion. an undulating sea of grass