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View synonyms for

fluctuate

[fluhk-choo-eyt]

verb (used without object)

fluctuated, fluctuating 
  1. to change continually; shift back and forth; vary irregularly.

    The price of gold fluctuated wildly last month.

  2. to move back and forth in waves.

    Synonyms:


verb (used with object)

fluctuated, fluctuating 
  1. to cause to fluctuate.

fluctuate

/ ˈڱʌʊˌɪ /

verb

  1. to change or cause to change position constantly; be or make unstable; waver or vary

  2. (intr) to rise and fall like a wave; undulate

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • nonfluctuating adjective
  • unfluctuating adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of fluctuate1

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin ڱܳٳٳܲ “undulated,” past participle of ڱܳٳ “to flow,” equivalent to fluctu(s) “a flowing” (derivative of fluere “to flow”) + -ٳܲ -ate 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of fluctuate1

C17: from Latin ڱܳٳ , from fluctus a wave, from fluere to flow
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Synonym Study

See waver 1.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It was a fluctuating innings from West Indies, as England's bright start with the ball saw them concede just 12 from the first three overs of the powerplay and 43 from the next.

From

The fluctuating layer of smoke in our atmosphere meant that the expected blue skies in the evening and morning have taken on more of a dirty orange or milky white hue.

From

With both players looking tight, momentum continued to fluctuate.

From

The population fluctuates throughout the year as pups are born and die off, and it’s likely higher at the moment.

From

For instance, research by the University of Worcester found that the birch tree pollen season is getting more severe, while that from grass continues to fluctuate around the long-term average.

From

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When To Use

doesfluctuate mean?

Fluctuate means to continually change or shift back and forth.The verb is most commonly used in the context of abstract or intangible things that frequently change, such as temperature, the stock market, or someone’s mood.This kind of continual change is called fluctuation.Example: The volume on my TV keeps fluctuating—it gets louder during commercials and then it gets quiet again when the show comes back on.

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fluctuantfluctuation