volatility

noun

vol·​a·​til·​i·​ty ˌvä-lə-ˈti-lə-tē 

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

The variable nobody can control Geopolitical uncertainty, especially the war in Iran, is raising volatility in rates and suppressing demand worldwide. —Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 2 May 2026

The volatility money will pay for an infusion of $300 million into the child care endowment fund, Ritter said. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026

What’s clear is that volatility will continue to remain in the market, especially with earnings season still ongoing. —Sarah Min, CNBC, 1 May 2026

With energy prices depressed at the start of the year, Exxon Mobil and Chevron had arranged hedges to offset volatility, a standard practice in the industry. —ABC News, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for volatility

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility