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

Those holders could be sitting on sizeable gains despite recent volatility, giving them an incentive to sell now, Lee at Direxion said. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

For years, volatility was the easiest objection to digital assets payments. — Shawn Yu, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Dimon said that heavy leverage increases the risk that a single investor or fund could trigger broader volatility. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

Before a single share can be sold, market volatility, taxes and trading restrictions will determine how much of that fortune actually survives. — Anastasia Atamanchuk, Fortune, 5 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