What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
labile
Example
The patient's blood pressure was labile, fluctuating between high and low. [labile: adjective]
Example
Her moods were labile, changing rapidly from happy to sad. [labile: adjective]
fluctuating
Example
The stock market has been fluctuating wildly in recent weeks. [fluctuating: verb]
Example
His weight has been fluctuating for years, making it hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle. [fluctuating: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fluctuating is more commonly used than labile in everyday language. Fluctuating is a versatile word that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while labile is more specialized and often used in medical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between labile and fluctuating?
While labile is typically associated with a more technical or clinical tone, fluctuating is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
