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

There have been no updates on the potential initial public offering expected to take place in June last year and delayed at the 11th hour due to European market volatility. —Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 27 Nov. 2025

In both cases, workers face heightened volatility. —Eugene Ludwig, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025

Green noted that the policy unveiling today would not be the only potential source of volatility in British bond markets, with investors keeping a close eye on the Office for Budget Responsibility’s assessment of the economy, which will be released in tandem with the Autumn Budget. —Holly Ellyatt,chloe Taylor, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025

On one hand, demographic pressures, energy market volatility and sluggish productivity are squeezing growth. —Dave McCann, Fortune, 26 Nov. 2025

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