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.
Bond market volatility, as measured by the MOVE Index, surged more than 3 standard deviations above its recent average, reaching the highest level since the pandemic shock in March 2020. George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025 Out of your control: market volatility, interest rates, elections, corporate earnings, Federal Reserve decisions. Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2025 The 200-day moving average level of $575 should serve as support as volatility comes back to the marketplace with the Cboe Volatility Index rising up to 22 off of this tariff news. Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 23 May 2025 However, market volatility, particularly in equities and foreign exchange, led the White House to suspend these country-specific surcharges for 90 days for all nations except China. Martha McHardy Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Volatility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volatility. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

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