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

Stock-market volatility in country-specific indexes tends to spike after their national teams play, according to a new analysis from data-modeling firm Polybridge. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 16 July 2026

Shares of the Redfin and Rocket Loans owner have fallen nearly 25% year to date amid heightened volatility in the mortgage market. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 16 July 2026

Investors will still take note of Treasury moves, but volatility should be watched at the short end of the curve (a year or two), rather than at the long end (10- and 30-year Treasuries). — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 16 July 2026

Even with the volatility of the last month, there’s still more uncertainty to come. — Los Angeles Times, 16 July 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