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

Iraola’s dismissal came as a surprise to a number of his players, although Catala, who later managed Larnaca, explains that there is a volatility to decision-making in Cyprus if form deteriorates. — Andy Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

The drop has coincided with broader volatility in the AI trade, particularly chip stocks, and a decline in the Korean market, which gets about half its value from SK Hynix and Samsung. — Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

The accounts can only be invested in stock funds — not bonds or cash, which often have less growth potential but also less volatility than stocks. — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2026

For global retail executives, volatility has ceased to be an occasional operational disruption. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 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