fluctuations
fluctuations — noun
- fluctuationssingular
- fluctuationsesplural
1. Repeated and often unpredictable changes in the amount, level, or quality of som
Repeated and often unpredictable changes in the amount, level, or quality of something — for example, the price of oil moving up and down over several weeks, or someone's feelings shifting between happiness and sadness.
Asher checked the stock prices every morning, tracking the market fluctuations over the past month.
market fluctuations / tracking fluctuations
The sudden temperature fluctuations made it hard for the garden plants to survive.
fluctuations in + temperature
Doctor Lin warned Bao that fluctuations in blood pressure could be dangerous if left unchecked.
Economists study seasonal fluctuations in consumer spending to predict future trends.
Ritu could not concentrate because of constant noise fluctuations from the street below.
- variations
More neutral — variation can be planned or natural, not necessarily unpredictable.
- changes
More general — a change can be a single event; fluctuations imply repeated back-and-forth movement.
- shifts
Suggests a single or gradual move from one position to another, not necessarily back again.
- swings
Emphasises dramatic, wide changes from one extreme to another.
- stability
The state of staying steady without change.
- consistency
Remaining the same over time, without unexpected ups and downs.
文法句型
fluctuations in + noun (prices, temperature, mood, etc.)
fluctuation of + noun
用法筆記
Very frequently used in the plural form (fluctuations) with 'in' to specify what is changing — e.g., fluctuations in prices, fluctuations in mood. The singular form (fluctuation) is also possible, especially in uncountable uses like 'price fluctuation is normal.'
常見錯誤
2. A gentle, wave-like rising and falling motion — for example, the way light rippl
A gentle, wave-like rising and falling motion — for example, the way light ripples across the surface of a pond, or the back-and-forth sway of a flag in the wind.
The physics students measured the light wave fluctuations through a narrow slit.
fluctuations of + light waves
Strong wind caused visible fluctuations in the surface of the lake near the dock.
The needle on the old machine showed rapid fluctuations whenever the motor was running.
Sven watched the rhythmic fluctuations of the wheat fields as the wind swept across the farm.
- undulation
More specific — describes a smooth, wavy rising-and-falling shape or motion.
- wave
A single instance of the motion; fluctuation suggests a series of waves.
- ripple
Smaller, gentler wave-like movement on a surface.
- oscillation
A regular back-and-forth motion around a central point, common in physics.
- stillness
Complete absence of movement or wave motion.
文法句型
fluctuations of + noun (light, water, sound, energy)
用法筆記
This sense is more technical than sense 1 (UPS AND DOWNS). It describes literal physical undulation — waves in water, light, or sound — rather than changes in quantity or value. Commonly found in physics and engineering contexts.