fluctuation
gb/flˌʌkt͡ʃuˈeɪʃən/ us/flˌʌkt͡ʃuˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 8100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
event
1
Irregular changes in level or amount
A series of small changes in the level or amount of something, going up and down over time.
Usage pattern:
fluctuation in [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'fluctuation' when they mean a single change, saying *'a fluctuation in price from $5 to $10'* instead of simply 'a change in price'. 'Fluctuation' is normally used for a series of changes over time. Learners also sometimes say *'fluctuations of the temperature is high'*; the correct structure is 'temperature fluctuations are high' or 'there is a lot of fluctuation in the temperature'.
Synonyms
variation (More general and can be used for differences at one time as well as changes over time; 'fluctuation' focuses on ongoing up-and-down change.)
|
instability (Emphasizes lack of steadiness and can sound more negative, while 'fluctuation' can be neutral or descriptive.)
Antonyms
stability (Describes a state where something stays the same and does not change up and down over time.)
|
consistency (Stresses regularity and sameness, the opposite of something that keeps changing.)
Collocations
temperature fluctuation
|mood fluctuations
|hormonal fluctuations
|daily fluctuations
|small fluctuations
|wild fluctuations
Themes
general
|science
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There has been a lot of fluctuation in the weather this month.
- The doctor said my energy levels show normal daily fluctuation.
- We noticed a sudden fluctuation in the water pressure last night.
- Mood fluctuation is common when you are under stress.
- The graph shows clear fluctuation in attendance over the year.
Learner examples
- There is a big fluctuation in the temperature this week.
- We saw a fluctuation in the number of visitors each day.
- Her weight shows only a small fluctuation from month to month.
- The fluctuation in noise makes it hard to sleep.
- Fluctuation in my internet speed is very annoying.
Noun
technical
C1
event
2
Short-term economic ups and downs
Many quick changes in prices, demand, or money value over a short time.
Usage pattern:
fluctuation in [economic measure]
Common mistake:
Learners may say *'the price is fluctuation'* instead of using the verb form 'the price is fluctuating' or the noun with a support verb, 'there is a fluctuation in the price'. They may also confuse 'inflation' (a general rise in prices) with 'fluctuation' (prices going up and down).
Synonyms
volatility (Common in finance to describe how strongly prices move; often sounds more technical and risk-focused than 'fluctuation'.)
|
market swings (More informal and emphasizes large, noticeable movements rather than any size of change.)
Antonyms
price stability (Describes a situation where prices stay nearly the same rather than moving up and down.)
|
steady growth (Emphasizes smooth, predictable increase, the opposite of irregular economic movement.)
Collocations
price fluctuations
|market fluctuations
|currency fluctuations
|exchange rate fluctuations
|fluctuations in demand
Themes
business
|economics
|finance
Examples
- The company blamed falling profits on sharp fluctuations in the euro–dollar exchange rate.
- Investors are worried about recent price fluctuations in the housing market.
- Our budget has to allow for fluctuations in fuel costs throughout the year.
- The central bank intervened to limit fluctuations in the national currency.
- Seasonal fluctuations in demand make it hard to plan our production.
Learner examples
- The hotel changes its prices because of fluctuations in demand.
- Strong fluctuations in the stock market can scare new investors.
- We must prepare for fluctuations in the exchange rate.
- Price fluctuations make it difficult to plan our costs.
- The report explains recent fluctuations in oil prices.
Noun
technical
C2
event
3
Random deviations from an average value
Small, often random changes from the normal or average value in a scientific measurement.
Usage pattern:
fluctuation in [measured quantity]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'fluctuation' with 'oscillation'. 'Oscillation' suggests a regular back-and-forth pattern, while 'fluctuation' often refers to irregular or random changes around an average.
Synonyms
noise (In scientific and technical contexts, 'noise' is unwanted random fluctuation in a signal, not just any variation.)
|
perturbation (More formal and mathematical; often refers to a small change applied to a system, whereas 'fluctuation' can be naturally occurring.)
Antonyms
equilibrium (Describes a balanced state with no net change, where fluctuations are minimal or absent.)
|
constancy (Emphasizes remaining the same over time, without random deviation from the average.)
Collocations
random fluctuations
|thermal fluctuations
|quantum fluctuations
|pressure fluctuations
|signal fluctuations
Themes
science
|physics
|statistics
Examples
- The experiment measures tiny thermal fluctuations in the metal surface.
- Random fluctuations in the data can hide the underlying trend.
- Quantum fluctuations may have played a role in the formation of galaxies.
- We filtered out high-frequency fluctuations from the signal.
- The model assumes only small pressure fluctuations around the mean value.
Learner examples
- The scientist studies small fluctuations in temperature.
- Random fluctuations in the signal make the data hard to read.
- We cannot avoid some fluctuation in our measurements.
- The chart shows fluctuations around the average line.
- The device is very sensitive to voltage fluctuations.
Grammar
Dictionary form
fluctuation
IPA
GB/flˌʌkt͡ʃuˈeɪʃən/
US/flˌʌkt͡ʃuˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
fluc - tu - ation (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ation)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: fluctuation
- Plural: fluctuation, fluctuations
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.