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

The volatility of the markets helps explain why Bezos has targeted Liverpool for investment. — Simon Hughes, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

However, Deoleo —the maker of household olive oil brands such as Bertolli and Carbonell — recently told CNBC that a period of unprecedented volatility has unequivocally given way to more stable market conditions. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

While a change in leadership at the Fed can trigger some market volatility, Chairman Warsh’s approach of less communication has added to uncertainty about how the central bank will respond to inflation and other economic shocks. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Yet domestic investments, including in the Mountain Pass mine in California, continued to sputter because of scarce profits, price volatility, and technological challenges. — Gloria Xiong, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 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