fluctuation

/ˌflʌktʃuˈeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌflʌktʃuˈeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-shən -chü-ˈā-/ (ame, mw)

fluctuation — noun

  • fluctuationsingular
  • fluctuationsplural

1. a repeated rise and fall in an amount, level, rate, or condition over time

1.名詞C1
釋義

a repeated rise and fall in an amount, level, rate, or condition over time

例句

Lukas tracked the fluctuation in ticket prices before booking the family trip.

fluctuation in [price/amount]

Daily fluctuation in river levels worried farmers near the bridge.

同義詞
  • variation

    broader and more neutral; it does not always suggest repeated ups and downs over time

  • volatility

    stronger; often used for sudden or risky market movement

  • swing

    more informal and often suggests a larger movement

反義詞
  • stability

    the state of staying steady instead of changing

  • steadiness

    a consistent level or pattern over time

文法句型

fluctuation in + noun

fluctuation between X and Y

用法筆記

Common with 'in' for the thing that changes and with 'between' for two ends of a range. Often used for prices, temperatures, rates, attendance, and other measurable conditions.

常見錯誤

❌There was a fluctuation of bus fares this month.
✅There was a fluctuation in bus fares this month.
💡Use 'in' before the thing that changes.
❌The price reached a fluctuation of fifty dollars.
✅The price fluctuated around fifty dollars.
💡'fluctuation' names repeated change, not a final amount.

2. a movement that rises, falls, or rocks gently in a way like waves

2.名詞C2
釋義

a movement that rises, falls, or rocks gently in a way like waves

例句

The boat's fluctuation made Layla grip the rail with both hands.

physical fluctuation of a moving object

Doctors watched the fluctuation of the baby's chest while the baby slept.

同義詞
  • oscillation

    more technical and often used for repeated back-and-forth movement

  • sway

    usually more side-to-side and less wave-like

反義詞
  • stillness

    a complete lack of movement

  • steadiness

    a stable position without rocking or rising and falling

文法句型

fluctuation of + moving thing

gentle / slow fluctuation

用法筆記

Often followed by 'of' and used in formal descriptions of water, cloth, breathing, or other gentle physical movement. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about literal motion, not changing numbers or conditions.

常見錯誤

❌There was a fluctuation in train times all week.
✅There were fluctuations in train times all week.
💡Changes in schedules belong to sense 1, not this literal motion sense.