Definition

Easily evaporated or changed; likely to change suddenly and unpredictably, often in a way that is dangerous or harmful.

Example

The stock market can be very volatile, with prices rising and falling quickly.

Conversation

I heard that the stock market is really volatile right now.

Yeah, I've noticed that too. It's hard to keep up with the changes.

It's kind of stressful to think about investing when things are so volatile.

Definitely! Maybe we should just wait for things to settle down a bit.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

A substance that can easily turn into gas at low temperatures.

Example

The chemist worked with a volatile that evaporated quickly when exposed to heat.

Conversation

I read that some chemicals are quite volatile at room temperature.

Yeah, I remember learning about that in chemistry class.

It's interesting how they can change states so quickly.

Root Explanation

Volatile → It is derived from the Latin word "volatilis" (meaning flying or fleeting), which comes from "volare" (meaning to fly). The word "volatile" describes something that can easily fly away or change rapidly, often referring to substances that evaporate quickly or situations that are unstable.

Memory Tip

Think of something that can 'fly away' easily — 'volare' means to fly, and 'volatile' describes things that can change or disappear quickly.

Visually Confused Words