Definition

The quality of being changeable or unpredictable in mood or behavior.

Example

Her mercurialness made it difficult for her friends to know how she would react in any situation.

Conversation

Have you noticed her mercurialness lately?

Yeah, one minute she's super cheerful and the next she's really down.

It makes it hard to know how to talk to her sometimes.

I totally get that; her mood swings can be quite unpredictable.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Mercurialness → It is formed from "mercurial" (from Latin "mercurialis", meaning of or pertaining to Mercury, the Roman god of commerce and communication, often associated with changeability) and "-ness" (a suffix used to form nouns indicating a state or condition). The word "mercurialness" refers to the state of being changeable or volatile, much like the qualities attributed to the god Mercury.

Memory Tip

Think of the qualities of Mercury, the god known for being changeable and quick, to remember that "mercurialness" describes a state of being unpredictable or volatile.

Visually Confused Words