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View synonyms for

volatile

[ vol-uh-tl, -tilor, especially British, -tahyl ]

adjective

  1. evaporating rapidly; passing off readily in the form of vapor:

    Acetone is a volatile solvent.

  2. tending or threatening to break out into open violence; explosive:

    a volatile political situation.

    Synonyms: , ,

  3. changeable; mercurial; flighty:

    a volatile disposition.

  4. (of prices, values, etc.) tending to fluctuate sharply and regularly:

    volatile market conditions.

  5. fleeting; transient:

    volatile beauty.

  6. Computers. of or relating to storage that does not retain data when electrical power is turned off or fails.
  7. able to fly or flying.


noun

  1. a volatile substance, as a gas or solvent.

volatile

/ ˌvɒləˈtɪlɪtɪ; ˈvɒləˌtaɪl /

adjective

  1. (of a substance) capable of readily changing from a solid or liquid form to a vapour; having a high vapour pressure and a low boiling point
  2. (of persons) disposed to caprice or inconstancy; fickle; mercurial
  3. (of circumstances) liable to sudden, unpredictable, or explosive change
  4. lasting only a short time

    volatile business interests

  5. computing (of a memory) not retaining stored information when the power supply is cut off
  6. obsolete.
    flying or capable of flight; volant
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a volatile substance
  2. rare.
    a winged creature
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

volatile

  1. Changing easily from liquid to vapor at normal temperatures and pressures. Essential oils used in perfumes are highly volatile.
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Derived Forms

  • ˈDZپԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • DZ··پ··ٲ [vol-, uh, -, til, -i-tee], DZa·پ·Ա noun
  • ԴDzvDZ··پi·ٲ noun
  • i·DZa·پ adjective
  • ܲ·DZa·پ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of volatile1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin DZپ, equivalent to DZ(ܲ) “flown,” past participle of DZ “to fly” + -ilis -ile
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Word History and Origins

Origin of volatile1

C17: from Latin DZī flying, from DZ to fly
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

So when the economy is turbulent and investors want to take money out of volatile stocks and shares markets, they usually place that cash in US bonds.

From

A 150 miles away, in the West of England region, the political terrain looks different but just as volatile.

From

Otherwise, with volatile fee income from foreign students, he believes other funds have to be allowed.

From

The biggest fear looming is a possible recession, which could have a devastating impact on the media business that is already in a volatile state due to shifting consumer habits.

From

Its price climbed in value in 2024, but it is extremely volatile and can rise and fall in value at the whim of buyers and sellers.

From

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volaryvolatile oil