Volatile: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Volatile adjective. Liable to sudden, unpredictable changes of mood or temper.
How to say it
VOL-uh-tyle/ˈvɒlətaɪl/ · American /ˈvɑːlətl/
3 syllables, stressed on the first (VOL).
Volatile in a sentence
With such a volatile boss, the staff learned to read his mood before speaking.
The striker’s volatile temper earned him three red cards in one season.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- mercurial
- temperamental
- explosive
- unstable
Opposite:
- stable
- even-tempered
Where volatile comes from
From Latin volatilis, flying, from volare, to fly.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The striker’s _____ temper earned him three red cards in one season.
- irascible
- antinomian
- volatile
Show the answer
volatile: The striker’s volatile temper earned him three red cards in one season.