volatility
7 synonyms and 5 antonyms for volatility, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The tendency of a price, market or value to move sharply and unpredictably over a short period.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The tendency of a price, market or value to move sharply and unpredictably over a short period.
“Volatility in the oil market pushed petrol prices up twice in a fortnight.”
Opposites
2. noun
A tendency to change mood or behaviour suddenly and without warning, or a situation liable to turn violent at any moment.
“His volatility made the whole newsroom walk on eggshells.”
Opposites
3. noun technical
In chemistry, the readiness with which a substance evaporates at ordinary temperatures.
“Petrol's high volatility is what makes its vapour so dangerous indoors.”
Opposites
How to Use Volatility
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Most common in finance, where it has a precise statistical meaning (the standard deviation of returns) as well as a loose everyday one.
Etymology
From Latin volatilis "flying, fleeting", from volare "to fly".
Full origin of volatility →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between volatility and risk?
Volatility measures how much something moves; risk is the chance of losing money. High volatility often signals higher risk, but a steadily declining asset can be low in volatility and a very bad investment.
Is high volatility always bad?
No. Traders who profit from movement need it, and options are worth more when volatility is high. It is bad mainly for people who need a predictable value on a fixed date.
What does implied volatility mean?
It is the amount of future movement the market is pricing into an option, worked back from the option's current price. It reflects expectation rather than what has already happened.