Definition of volatile
1a : characterized by or subject to rapid or unexpected change a volatile marketb : unable to hold the attention fixed because of an inherent lightness or fickleness of disposition
2a : tending to erupt into violence : explosive a volatile temperb : easily aroused volatile suspicionsc : lighthearted, lively
3 : readily vaporizable at a relatively low temperature
4 : difficult to capture or hold permanently : evanescent, transitory
5 : flying or having the power to fly
volatileness
nounPeople Are Reading
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Examples of volatile in a sentence
I am beginning to hear investors say that the best way to beat this volatile market is by trading—anxiously moving in and out of securities as the market ebbs and flows. In my view there is no surer path to the poorhouse. —John W. Rogers, Jr., Forbes, 25 May 2009
Usually, only a few of the volatile chemicals in a fragrance are obviously noticeable to human noses. —Ivan Amato, Science News, 24 Sept. 2005
VOCs (or volatile organic compounds) are thought to be among the potential culprits behind illnesses often lumped under the heading of Sick Building Syndrome. —Scott Schilling, This Old House, March 2005
… it was Elvis who represented rock and roll at its unblushing, volatile best; he was its first master and the embodiment of every reason that adolescents of the postwar years turned to it in favor of the cheerfully torpid pop music … to which their parents were listening. —David Hajdu, New York Review of Books, 9 Oct. 2003
When left unused, make-up has a tendency to dry out because any water or other volatile substances it contains evaporate. —Barry Fox, New Scientist, 9 Aug. 2003
The stock market can be very volatile.
She is a volatile woman.
The protests are increasing, creating a volatile situation in the capital.
Did You Know?
Volatile was originally for the birds - quite literally. Back in the 14th century, volatile was a noun that referred to birds (especially wild fowl) or other winged creatures, such as butterflies. That's not as flighty as it sounds. Volatile traces back to the Latin verb volare, which means "to fly." By the end of the 16th century, people were using volatile as an adjective for things that were so light they seemed ready to fly. The adjective was soon extended to vapors and gases, and by the early 17th century, volatile was being applied to individuals or things as prone to sudden change as some gaseous substances. In recent years, volatile has landed in economic, political, and technical contexts far flown from its avian origins.
Origin and Etymology of volatile
French, from Latin volatilis, from volare to fly
First Known Use: 1605
Definition of volatile
: a substance that is readily vaporizable at relatively low temperature : a volatile substance
Origin and Etymology of volatile
see 1volatile
First Known Use: 1686
VOLATILE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of volatile for English Language Learners
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: likely to change in a very sudden or extreme way
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: having or showing extreme or sudden changes of emotion
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: likely to become dangerous or out of control
Definition of volatile for English Language Learners
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: a chemical or compound that changes into a gas easily
VOLATILE Defined for Kids
volatile
playDefinition of volatile for Students
1 : easily becoming a gas at a fairly low temperature volatile solvents
2 : likely to change suddenly a volatile temper
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of volatile
: a volatile substance
volatile
Medical Definition of volatile
: readily vaporizable at a relatively low temperature
Learn More about volatile
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for volatile Spanish Central: Translation of volatile Nglish: Translation of volatile for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of volatile for Arabic speakers
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