fluctuate
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈflʌkʧueɪt/
KK: /ˈflʌkʧueɪt/
intransitive verb
Definition
To change or vary in level, amount, or position in an unpredictable way.
Example
The stock prices tend to fluctuate throughout the day.
Tense Forms
Past: fluctuated
Past Participle: fluctuated
Conversation
Have you noticed how the temperatures fluctuate throughout the day?
Yeah, it’s like it can't decide if it wants to be hot or cold.
Exactly! It makes it hard to know what to wear.
I just bring a jacket everywhere now, just in case.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
swing
vary
waver
Antonyms
stabilize
remain
persist
transitive verb
Definition
To change or vary in level, amount, or value in an irregular way.
Example
The stock prices tend to fluctuate throughout the day.
Tense Forms
Past: fluctuated
Past Participle: fluctuated
Conversation
Have you noticed how the prices of groceries fluctuate from week to week?
Definitely! It's so unpredictable these days.
I wonder what causes them to fluctuate so much.
Root Explanation
Fluctuate → It is formed from "fluctuare" (meaning to flow or wave) which comes from "fluctus" (meaning wave) in Latin. The word describes the action of moving or varying in a wave-like manner.
Memory Tip
Imagine waves that rise and fall — that's what fluctuate means, as it describes something that flows or varies like waves.
Visually Confused Words
fucate
fluate