adjective
Uncommon
volatile
VOL-uh-tyl
Volatile (adjective) means Likely to change suddenly and unpredictably, especially for the worse. Example: “Stock prices were extremely volatile after the announcement.”
adjective
1
Likely to change suddenly and unpredictably, especially for the worse.
"Stock prices were extremely volatile after the announcement."
"He has a volatile temper and can snap without warning."
"The weather in the mountains is volatile, so always pack a waterproof."
2
Evaporating quickly at normal temperatures.
"Petrol is a highly volatile liquid."
"Nail varnish remover is volatile, so keep the lid on tightly."
"Perfume contains volatile oils that drift into the air as you wear it."
3
In computing, describing memory whose contents are lost when power is removed.
"RAM is volatile memory, unlike a hard drive."
"Because the memory is volatile, anything you haven't saved vanishes when the power goes off."
"Volatile storage keeps data only while the computer is switched on."
How to use volatile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnstable and quick to change — whether that's a mood, a market, a chemical, or computer memory.
Common pairings
volatile market
volatile temper
volatile substance
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Word forms
- Plural
- volatiles
- Comparative
- more volatile
- Superlative
- most volatile
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Stock prices were extremely _____ after the announcement.
Etymology
From Latin volatilis, "flying," from volare, "to fly" — the idea of something that evaporates or changes as quickly as if it took flight.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
nonvolatile
Related words
Rhymes for volatile
See all rhymes for volatile →Frequently asked questions
What does “volatile” mean?
The word “volatile” means likely to change suddenly and unpredictably, especially for the worse. In plain terms, unstable and quick to change — whether that's a mood, a market, a chemical, or computer memory.
How do you pronounce “volatile”?
“Volatile” is pronounced VOL-uh-tyl (/ˈvɑ.lə.təl/ in IPA).
How do you use “volatile” in a sentence?
Here is “volatile” used in a sentence: “Stock prices were extremely volatile after the announcement.”
What part of speech is “volatile”?
“Volatile” is an adjective.
Where does the word “volatile” come from?
The word “volatile” comes from Latin. From Latin volatilis, "flying," from volare, "to fly" — the idea of something that evaporates or changes as quickly as if it took flight.
Is “volatile” a common word?
“Volatile” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “volatile” have?
“Volatile” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: likely to change suddenly and unpredictably, especially for the worse.
What is the difference between volatile and unstable?
Volatile emphasizes sudden, unpredictable change, often for the worse, while unstable simply describes something lacking a firm or steady base. A volatile situation can flip abruptly with little warning, whereas something unstable may simply be prone to collapse or fail without necessarily being unpredictable.
What does volatile mean in computing?
In computing, volatile describes memory whose contents are erased once power is removed, such as RAM. This contrasts with non-volatile storage, like a hard drive or SSD, which retains data even when the power is switched off.
How is volatile used to describe chemicals?
A volatile substance is one that evaporates quickly at normal temperatures, turning from liquid to gas with relative ease. This sense is common in chemistry and everyday contexts, such as describing volatile organic compounds found in paints and solvents.
Why do people describe markets or emotions as volatile?
Markets and emotions are called volatile when they are prone to sudden, unpredictable swings, especially negative ones. A volatile stock market can rise or fall sharply within a short period, and a volatile temper can flare up with little warning.
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