volatile
/ˈvɒlətaɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈvɑːlətl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈvä-lə-tᵊl especially British -ˌtī(-ə)l/ (ame, mw)
volatile — adjective
- volatilepositive
- more volatilecomparative
- most volatilesuperlative
1. describes a situation or condition that can change suddenly and often for the wo
describes a situation or condition that can change suddenly and often for the worse, making it hard to predict what will happen next.
The political climate grew volatile after the prime minister's unexpected resignation last Friday.
be/become/remain + volatile describing political change
Coffee prices have been highly volatile this season because of severe drought in Brazil.
highly + volatile modifying market price
The ceasefire between the two armies stayed volatile, with small clashes reported every week.
Foreign investors avoid countries with volatile currencies that lose value overnight.
The team's performance was volatile all season, swinging from brilliant wins to heavy losses.
- unstable
broader — works for structures and situations, not only sudden-direction change
- unpredictable
focuses on the inability to forecast, not necessarily on risk of getting worse
- turbulent
stronger, suggesting active disturbance or conflict
- stable
steady and unlikely to change
- predictable
easy to know what will happen next
文法句型
volatile + noun
be/become/remain + volatile
用法筆記
Subject is usually a situation, market, relationship, or political condition — not a person. For people with unpredictable moods, use sense 2.
常見錯誤
2. describes a person who changes moods very quickly and unexpectedly, often becomi
describes a person who changes moods very quickly and unexpectedly, often becoming angry or upset over small things.
After long night shifts, Javier becomes volatile and may snap at colleagues for no reason.
be/become + volatile describing a person's mood
The lead singer's volatile personality worried the tour manager, who never knew if she would perform or walk off stage.
volatile + noun: volatile personality / volatile temper
A volatile child might laugh one moment and scream with anger the next.
Priya avoided discussing politics with her uncle, whose volatile temper flared up at small disagreements.
The ward nurses were trained to handle volatile patients with patience and calm reassurance.
- even-tempered
stays calm and does not get angry easily
- stable
emotionally steady and predictable
文法句型
volatile + noun
be + volatile
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1, this sense describes a person or their mood directly. Common with nouns like temper, personality, nature. Not typically used for day-to-day tiredness — the mood changes are extreme and frequent.
常見錯誤
3. describes a liquid or solid that turns into a gas easily at normal temperatures.
describes a liquid or solid that turns into a gas easily at normal temperatures.
Acetone is a volatile solvent that dries within seconds when painted onto a surface.
volatile + noun: volatile solvent / volatile liquid
Dr. Okonkwo explained why volatile substances like rubbing alcohol evaporate far faster than water does.
Volatile chemicals must stay in sealed containers to prevent dangerous fumes from escaping.
Gasoline is highly volatile — a puddle on the driveway disappears in hot weather.
- evaporative
more specific to the process of turning into vapour
- vapourisable
technical synonym for able to become vapour
- stable
chemically stable, does not evaporate easily
- nonvolatile
the direct opposite in chemistry
文法句型
volatile + noun
be + volatile
用法筆記
Primarily used in scientific or technical writing. Often appears in phrases like 'volatile organic compounds' (VOCs) or paired with 'liquid', 'solvent', 'substance'.
常見錯誤
volatile — noun
1. a chemical substance that changes easily from a liquid or solid state into a gas
a chemical substance that changes easily from a liquid or solid state into a gas at relatively low temperatures.
The paint factory was fined for releasing volatile organic compounds into the air.
volatile organic compound (VOC) — the most common noun phrase
Certain volatiles in cleaning products evaporate into the air and can cause breathing problems.
plural 'volatiles' + evaporate (vaporization context)
New regulations require furniture makers to reduce the volatile released by their glues and varnishes.
- nonvolatile
a substance that does not easily turn into gas
文法句型
volatile + noun
volatile organic compound
用法筆記
Most often used in the plural form 'volatiles' (e.g., 'petroleum volatiles') or in the fixed phrase 'volatile organic compounds' (VOCs). Singular use is rarer and usually technical.