volatile
/ˈvɒl.əˌtaɪ.(ə)l/
Group 15Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse; easily evaporated GRE
Example in Context
The volatile political situation made it impossible for businesses to make long-term investment decisions with any confidence.
Synonyms
unstableexplosiveunpredictable
Etymology
Volatile refers to something that changes rapidly and unpredictably.
- volatilis (Latin) — fleeting
Memory Aid
🏐Sounds like “volley tile”
A tile bouncing around like a volleyball — it's so VOLATILE it could explode at any moment!
Visual Association
🌪️A whirlwind of leaves and debris spiraling unpredictably in a storm.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “volatile” mean on the GRE?
volatile (adjective) means “Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse; easily evaporated”. The volatile political situation made it impossible for businesses to make long-term investment decisions with any confidence.
How to remember “volatile” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “volatile” sounds like “volley tile”. A tile bouncing around like a volleyball — it's so VOLATILE it could explode at any moment!
What are synonyms for “volatile”?
Common synonyms: unstable, explosive, unpredictable.