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

Goldman Sachs said the recent pullback in gold prices was largely in line with historical patterns, citing higher interest rate expectations and market volatility as key drivers behind the decline. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026

Members also identified rate volatility, flight cancellations, capacity constraints and longer transit times as the most common issues, alongside growing customer service pressures and space embargoes. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 25 Mar. 2026

Investors were already grappling with how to trade headlines about the war before Monday’s volatility. —Steve Kopack, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026

Society has become numb to the volatility of the world. —Morgan Korn, ABC News, 22 Mar. 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