volatility

noun

vol·​a·​til·​i·​ty ˌvä-lə-ˈti-lə-tē How to pronounce volatility (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The uncertainty has created volatility for PDD’s stock price which fell 6% on Monday, rose 8% on Tuesday and fell more than 3% on Wednesday. Annie Palmer, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2025 The four-week average, which evens out some of the weekly volatility, rose by 4,000 to 216,750. Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2025 While 2024’s numbers indicate strong recovery, the volatility of the past three years underscores the industry’s sensitivity to global events and its dependence on external investment. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Feb. 2025 The market’s reaction underscores how even unrelated political moves can trigger significant volatility in the cryptocurrency space. Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 3 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for volatility 

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of volatility was in 1626

Dictionary Entries Near volatility

Cite this Entry

“Volatility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volatility. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

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