volatility

noun

vol·​a·​til·​i·​ty ˌvä-lə-ˈti-lə-tē How to pronounce volatility (audio)
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 High volatility slots may offer larger payouts but less frequently, while low variance slots provide smaller wins more frequently. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 While the experience initially felt like a failure, my team was able to learn more about the volatility of the cannabis market and tailor future marketing campaigns to emphasize flexibility. Magen Baker, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2024 CEOs must navigate a labyrinth of economic volatility, geopolitical strife, and crises, all while steering their companies on more aggressive growth and innovation tracks. Dean Debiase, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 The risks and uncertainties described above may be amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused significant economic uncertainty, or other pandemics, supply chain disruptions from the Ukraine war and otherwise, and ongoing volatility in the stock markets and the U.S. economy in general. Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2024 Patrick De Haan, an analyst for the company, attributed recent shifts in prices, both up and down, to volatility in the oil industry caused by turmoil in the Middle East and economic concerns in Europe and elsewhere. Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024 In the middle of the team’s most recent Final Four season, Singleton said, players gathered to discuss the volatility. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024 The 30-year has small relative issuance as most of the Chinese government debt is very short-term, which likely explains the volatility, though someone clearly took some profits. Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The issue has been particularly controversial among video-game workers thanks to the volatility of the industry and its lack of a centralized workforce. Jason Schreier, Fortune, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'volatility.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of volatility was in 1626

Dictionary Entries Near volatility

Cite this Entry

“Volatility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volatility. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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