What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vicissitude
Example
The company went through many vicissitudes before finally achieving success. [vicissitudes: noun]
Example
Life is full of vicissitudes, so it's important to be adaptable. [vicissitudes: noun]
fluctuation
Example
The temperature showed fluctuations throughout the day. [fluctuations: noun]
Example
The stock market experienced significant fluctuations in the past year. [fluctuations: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fluctuation is more commonly used than vicissitude in everyday language, especially in the context of economics, finance, and science. Vicissitude is less common and more formal, often used in literature or academic writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vicissitude and fluctuation?
Vicissitude is more formal than fluctuation, which is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
