What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fluctuation
Example
The stock market experienced fluctuations throughout the day. [fluctuations: noun]
Example
The temperature in this region tends to fluctuate between hot and cold. [fluctuate: verb]
volatility
Example
The volatility of the cryptocurrency market makes it difficult to predict. [volatility: noun]
Example
The political climate in this country is highly volatile at the moment. [volatile: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fluctuation is more commonly used than volatility in everyday language, especially in financial or economic contexts. Volatility is more technical and often used in specialized fields such as finance or chemistry.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fluctuation and volatility?
Volatility is generally considered more formal than fluctuation, as it is often used in technical or specialized contexts.
