volatility

vol·a·tile  (vl-tl, -tl)

adj.

1. Chemistry

a. Evaporating readily at normal temperatures and pressures.

b. That can be readily vaporized.

2.

a. Tending to vary often or widely, as in price: the ups and downs of volatile stocks.

b. Inconstant; fickle: a flirt's volatile affections.

c. Lighthearted; flighty: in a volatile mood.

d. Ephemeral; fleeting.

3. Tending to violence; explosive: a volatile situation with troops and rioters eager for a confrontation.

4. Flying or capable of flying; volant.

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[French, from Old French, from Latin voltilis, flying, from voltus, past participle of volre, to fly.]

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vola·tile n.

vola·tili·ty (-tl-t), vola·tile·ness (-tl-ns, -tl-) n.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	volatility - the property of changing readily from a solid or liquid to a vapor chemical property - a property used to characterize materials in reactions that change their identity
	2.	volatility - the trait of being unpredictably irresolute; "the volatility of the market drove many investors away" unpredictability irresoluteness, irresolution - the trait of being irresolute; lacking firmness of purpose
	3.	volatility - being easily excited excitableness, excitability emotionalism, emotionality - emotional nature or quality boiling point - being highly angry or excited; ready to boil over; "after an hour of waiting I was at the boiling point"