adj Uncommon

fickle

FIHK-uhl

Fickle (adj) means changing opinions, loyalties, or feelings often and without warning. Example: “The crowd's support proved fickle once the team started losing.”

adj

Changing opinions, loyalties, or feelings often and without warning.

"The crowd's support proved fickle once the team started losing."

"He's a fickle friend, always dropping people when something better comes along."

How to use fickle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUnreliable and prone to sudden changes of mind or loyalty.

Common pairings

fickle fans fickle weather fickle friend

Word forms

fickler comparative, more fickle comparative, fickled past tense, Fickles plural, fickles singular, ficklest superlative, most fickle superlative

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The crowd's support proved _____ once the team started losing.

Etymology

From Old English ficol ("cunning, deceitful"), related to the old word fike ("to move restlessly").

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for fickle

tickle sickle pickle trickle

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Frequently asked questions

What does “fickle” mean?

The word “fickle” means changing opinions, loyalties, or feelings often and without warning. In plain terms, unreliable and prone to sudden changes of mind or loyalty.

How do you pronounce “fickle”?

“Fickle” is pronounced FIHK-uhl (/ˈfɪk.əl/ in IPA).

How do you use “fickle” in a sentence?

Here is “fickle” used in a sentence: “The crowd's support proved fickle once the team started losing.”

What part of speech is “fickle”?

“Fickle” is an adjective.

Where does the word “fickle” come from?

The word “fickle” comes from Old English. From Old English ficol ("cunning, deceitful"), related to the old word fike ("to move restlessly").

Is “fickle” a common word?

“Fickle” is an uncommon word in modern English.