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

But the selloff in Trump’s company, which has long traded with more volatility than the overall market, accelerated Friday, with shares falling 7.2%, compared to 6% for the S&P 500. —Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Singletary added that the basic U.S. economy is sound, and that while current policies are causing the volatility, a reversal or any adjustments could lead to the market bouncing back. —Obed Manuel, NPR, 7 Apr. 2025

The current volatility index opened Monday at 60, meaning significant market stress, for the first time since August. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025

While gold remains a traditional safe-haven asset, its short-term performance may be subject to volatility as markets respond to unfolding events. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

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