Volatile is a six-letter English word with the phonetic transcription /ˈvɒl.ə.taɪl/. The spelling of the word is derived from its Latin origin, volatilis, which means "fleeting" or "transient." The pronunciation of the first syllable, "vol," is similar to the word "doll," while the second syllable, "a," sounds like the "uh" in "up." The final syllable, "tile," rhymes with "smile" and "file." The spelling of volatile may appear challenging, but with practice, it can become easy to remember.
Volatile, as an adjective, is used to describe something that is characterized by rapid and unpredictable changes or capable of easily evaporating. It can also refer to a person's unpredictable or unstable nature, often associated with sudden outbursts of anger or emotional intensity.
In the context of chemistry, volatile refers to substances that have a tendency to vaporize rapidly due to their low boiling point or high vapor pressure. These substances can easily transition from a liquid or solid state to a gas, creating fumes or vapors that may be flammable or produce strong odors.
In the financial and investment world, volatile describes the state of a market or security that experiences significant and frequent price fluctuations. A volatile market can quickly change direction, resulting in potential gains or losses for investors.
Additionally, the term volatile can be used to describe situations or conditions that are unstable, uncertain, or prone to sudden changes. It implies a lack of predictability or stability, making it difficult to anticipate or plan for the future outcomes.
Overall, volatile is a versatile term that can be applied across various domains to describe anything that is prone to rapid and unpredictable change, whether it be substances, individuals, markets, or situations.
Not permanent, evaporating spontaneously.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Capable of easily passing into the aeriform state, as hartshorn, musk, &c.; full of spirit; airy; fickle.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "volatile" originated from the Latin term "volatilis", which means "fleeting" or "flying". It is derived from the verb "volare", meaning "to fly". The term was first used in English in the late 16th century with the meaning of "evaporating rapidly" or "easily turning to vapor". Over time, its usage extended to describe substances or situations that are prone to quick and unpredictable changes.