A situation that is volatile is likely to change suddenly and unexpectedly.
There have been riots before and the situation is volatile.
The international oil markets have been highly volatile since the early 1970s.
Armed soldiers guard the streets in this volatile atmosphere.
Synonyms: changeable, shifting, variable, unsettled More Synonyms of volatile
volatility (vɒlətɪlɪti)uncountable noun
He is keen to see a general reduction in arms sales given the volatility of the region. [+ of]
...current stock market volatility.
2. adjective
If someone is volatile, their mood often changes quickly.
He accompanied the volatile actress to Hollywood the following year.
He has a volatile temper.
3. adjective
A volatile liquid or substance is one that will quickly change into a gas.
[technical]
It's thought that the blast occurred when volatile chemicals exploded.
More Synonyms of volatile
volatile in British English
(ˈvɒləˌtaɪl)
adjective
1.
(of a substance) capable of readily changing from a solid or liquid form to a vapour; having a high vapour pressure and a low boiling point
2.
(of persons) disposed to caprice or inconstancy; fickle; mercurial
3.
(of circumstances) liable to sudden, unpredictable, or explosive change
4.
lasting only a short time
volatile business interests
5. computing
(of a memory) not retaining stored information when the power supply is cut off
6. obsolete
flying or capable of flight; volant
noun
7.
a volatile substance
8. rare
a winged creature
Derived forms
volatileness (ˈvolatileness) or volatility (ˌvɒləˈtɪlɪtɪ)
noun
Word origin
C17: from Latin volātīlis flying, from volāre to fly
volatile in American English
(ˈvɑlətəl; Chiefly British ˈvɑləˌtaɪl)
adjective
1. Obsolete
flying or able to fly; volitant
2.
vaporizing or evaporating quickly, as alcohol
3.
a.
likely to shift quickly and unpredictably; unstable; explosive
a volatile social condition
b.
moving capriciously from one idea, interest, etc. to another; fickle
c.
not lasting long; fleeting
4. Computing
designating or of memory that does not retain stored data when the power supply is disconnected
noun Rare
5.
any flying creature
6.
a volatile substance
Derived forms
volatility (ˌvolaˈtility) (ˈvɑləˈtɪləti)
noun or ˈvolatileness
Word origin
MFr < L volatilis < volare, to fly
Examples of 'volatile' in a sentence
volatile
And if you already hold less volatile investments, you may be able to take more risk.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
France's first female ambassador to London could hardly have chosen a more volatile time to take up her post.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Cash is not king Generations of investors have regarded cash as a safe haven in volatile times, but that is no longer the case.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Their volatile moods fluttered up from the keys.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The investment required could run into billions of pounds as our weather becomes increasingly volatile.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Electricity prices are driven by volatile gas wholesale costs.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Running down a business that makes volatile chemicals is dangerous.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They can remain volatile for decades and are notoriously hard to find and remove when conflicts end.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The tobacco sector could well be a safe haven in these volatile times.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You have to head off a potentially volatile situation.
Kiam, Victor Going For It!: How to Succeed As an Entrepreneur (1986)
She is very unhappy but cannot yet explain her volatile moods.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But he has reached the point where he wants a less volatile character working with him.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
New technologies are bringing down energy costs and reducing reliance on oil imported from volatile and hostile regions.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
His friends yesterday questioned why police had allowed him to return to the volatile atmosphere at his home following his arrest.
The Sun (2013)
The wounds are raw, and the region remains volatile.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The group is also struggling with volatile oil prices, which affect haulage and packaging costs.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The sudden flare-up of violence in the volatile region set alarm bells ringing worldwide.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
And you don't need a cylinder of volatile compressed gas in your car to do it.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
With such a volatile atmosphere, forecasters are finding it difficult to predict the weather beyond the weekend.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He was as famous for his volatile temper as for his food writing, leading to tempestuous and often short-lived relationships with friends and editors.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In other languages
volatile
British English: volatile ADJECTIVE
A situation that is volatile is likely to change suddenly and unexpectedly.
There have been riots before and the situation is volatile.
American English: volatile
Brazilian Portuguese: volátil
Chinese: 变化无常的
European Spanish: inestable
French: explosif
German: unsicher
Italian: instabile
Japanese: 不安定な
Korean: 일촉즉발의
European Portuguese: volátil
Latin American Spanish: volátil
All related terms of 'volatile'
sal volatile
a solution of ammonium carbonate in alcohol and aqueous ammonia , often containing aromatic oils, used as smelling salts
volatile oil
→ essential oil
volatile salt
a solution of ammonium carbonate in alcohol and aqueous ammonia , often containing aromatic oils, used as smelling salts
volatile situation
You use situation to refer generally to what is happening in a particular place at a particular time, or to refer to what is happening to you.
volatile relationship
The relationship between two people or groups is the way in which they feel and behave towards each other.
VOC
volatile organic compound: one of a number of chemicals, including benzene and acetone , that evaporate or vaporize readily and are harmful to human health and the environment
Chinese translation of 'volatile'
volatile
(ˈvɔlətaɪl)
adj
[situation]不稳(穩)定的 (bù wěndìng de)
[person, temper]多变(變)的 (duōbiàn de)
(Tech)[liquid, substance]易挥(揮)发(發)的 (yì huīfā de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
(of circumstances) liable to sudden change
There have been riots before and the situation is volatile.
Synonyms
changeable
He was a man of changeable moods.
The forecast is for changeable weather.
shifting
variable
Weather conditions are variable and change from day to day.
unsettled
Despite the unsettled weather, we had a marvellous weekend.
unstable
The situation is unstable and potentially dangerous.
explosive
unreliable
She had proved to be an unreliable witness and had lied to police.
unsteady
His unsteady relationship with his flatmates incited him to move out.
inconstant
Opposites
stable
,
constant
,
steady
,
inert
,
settled
2 (adjective)
Definition
(of people) liable to sudden changes of mood and behaviour
She has a volatile temperament.
Synonyms
temperamental
The patient was given to temperamental outbursts and paranoia.
erratic
the erratic nature of our recent weather
mercurial
his mercurial temperament
up and down (informal)
fickle
They are fickle, faithless and lewd.
whimsical
giddy
At our stage in life we are unlikely to become giddy spendthrifts.
flighty
In my youth I was a frivolous fool, vain and flighty.
over-emotional
inconstant
Opposites
calm
,
consistent
,
reliable
,
sober
,
self-controlled
,
dependable
,
cool-headed
3 (adjective)
Definition
(of a substance) changing quickly from a solid or liquid form to a vapour
when volatile chemicals explode
Synonyms
unstable
explosive
Highly explosive gas is naturally found in coal mines.
inflammable
A highly inflammable liquid escaped into the equipment.
labile (technical)
eruptive
Additional synonyms
in the sense of erratic
Definition
irregular or unpredictable
the erratic nature of our recent weather
Synonyms
unpredictable,
variable,
unstable,
irregular,
shifting,
eccentric,
abnormal,
inconsistent,
uneven,
unreliable,
wayward,
capricious,
desultory,
changeable,
aberrant,
fitful,
inconstant
in the sense of explosive
Definition
able or likely to explode
Highly explosive gas is naturally found in coal mines.
Synonyms
unstable,
dangerous,
volatile,
hazardous,
unsafe,
perilous,
combustible,
inflammable
in the sense of fickle
Definition
changeable in purpose, affections, etc.
They are fickle, faithless and lewd.
Synonyms
capricious,
variable,
volatile,
unpredictable,
unstable,
unfaithful,
temperamental,
mercurial,
unsteady,
faithless,
changeable,
quicksilver,
vacillating,
fitful,
flighty,
blowing hot and cold,
mutable,
irresolute,
inconstant
Synonyms of 'volatile'
volatile
Explore 'volatile' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of flighty
Definition
frivolous and not very reliable or serious
In my youth I was a frivolous fool, vain and flighty.
Synonyms
frivolous,
wild,
volatile,
unstable,
irresponsible,
dizzy (informal),
fickle,
unbalanced,
impulsive,
mercurial,
giddy,
capricious,
unsteady,
thoughtless,
changeable,
impetuous,
skittish,
light-headed,
harebrained,
scatterbrained,
ditzy or ditsy (slang)
in the sense of giddy
Definition
happy and excited
At our stage in life we are unlikely to become giddy spendthrifts.
Synonyms
flighty,
silly,
volatile,
irresponsible,
reckless,
dizzy,
careless,
frivolous,
impulsive,
capricious,
thoughtless,
impetuous,
skittish,
heedless,
scatterbrained,
ditzy or ditsy (slang)
in the sense of inconstant
Definition
variable
Synonyms
unreliable,
variable,
uncertain,
volatile,
unsettled,
unstable,
inconsistent,
erratic,
wavering,
uneven,
fluctuating,
wayward,
fickle,
temperamental,
mercurial,
capricious,
unsteady,
changeable,
vacillating,
blowing hot and cold (informal),
mutable,
irresolute,
undependable,
changeful,
vagarious (rare)
in the sense of inflammable
Definition
easily aroused to anger or passion
A highly inflammable liquid escaped into the equipment.
Synonyms
flammable,
explosive,
volatile,
incendiary,
combustible
in the sense of mercurial
Definition
lively and unpredictable
his mercurial temperament
Synonyms
capricious,
volatile,
unpredictable,
erratic,
variable,
unstable,
fickle,
temperamental,
impulsive,
irrepressible,
changeable,
quicksilver,
flighty,
inconstant
in the sense of unreliable
Definition
not able to be trusted or relied on
She had proved to be an unreliable witness and had lied to police.
Synonyms
undependable,
irresponsible,
untrustworthy,
unstable,
treacherous,
disreputable,
not conscientious
in the sense of unsettled
Definition
constantly changing or moving from place to place
Despite the unsettled weather, we had a marvellous weekend.
Synonyms
inconstant,
changing,
unpredictable,
variable,
uncertain,
changeable
in the sense of unsteady
His unsteady relationship with his flatmates incited him to move out.
Synonyms
erratic,
unpredictable,
volatile,
unsettled,
wavering,
unreliable,
temperamental,
changeable,
vacillating,
flighty,
inconstant
in the sense of variable
Definition
likely to change at any time
Weather conditions are variable and change from day to day.