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 has played out in oil markets, with crude prices surging in early trade. —Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026

Vince’s volatility could be both maddening and intoxicating. —Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

When global volatility calls for better domestic execution, Washington often falls into complacency, preferring talk over action. —Dan Romito, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026

This dampens the volatility of month-to-month without overlooking changes in year-to-year. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 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