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

In a world of volatility, interdependence, and unintended consequences, Humility is not a soft virtue. —Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

But both Akins and Sohn said the biggest risk for retail investors getting in on the space theme is volatility. —Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 30 May 2026

Seemingly unyielding hunger for AI hardware has driven some analysts to predict a structural upswing in memory chip stocks, a major shift for an industry that has historically seen wild volatility in both demand and stock price. —semafor.com, 29 May 2026

In general, electrification cuts energy costs, removes the volatility of fuel prices, and builds more resilient operations. —Justin Worland, Time, 29 May 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