fluctuation

noun

fluc·​tu·​a·​tion ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-shən 

-chü-ˈā-

plural fluctuations

: an act or instance of fluctuating : an irregular shifting back and forth or up and down in the level, strength, or value of something

Small fluctuations in prices are to be expected.

Some fluctuation in real estate values is not unusual.

North American species in general, having contended with blazing July days and frosty September nights as they evolved, are much more tolerant of temperature fluctuations than tropical species are.

—Jonathan Franzen

fluctuational

ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-sh(ə-)nəl 

-chü-ˈā-

adjective

Synonyms of fluctuation

• oscillation
• change

Examples of fluctuation in a Sentence

political instability that resulted in wild fluctuations in the overseas stock markets

Recent Examples on the Web

No smiles, no frowns, no fluctuations of body warmth. —Literary Hub, 8 June 2026

Any robot player also has to factor in time lags from motors, cameras, voltage fluctuations, mechanical vibrations, and imperfect puck tracking. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 June 2026

There are reports of suicide from all of these enormous hormonal fluctuations, and yet women are left in the dark and misinformed about what to expect. —David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2026

Marketing prices subject to currency fluctuation. —Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fluctuation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Medical Definition

fluctuation

noun

fluc·​tu·​a·​tion ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-shən 

1

: a motion like that of waves

especially : the wavelike motion of a fluid collected in a natural or artificial cavity of the body observed by palpation or percussion

2

a

: a slight and nonheritable variation

especially : such a variation occurring in response to environmental factors

b

: recurrent and often more or less cyclic alteration (as of form, size, or color of a bodily part)

fluctuate

ˈflək-chə-ˌwāt 

verb

fluctuated; fluctuating