fluctuation

[fluhk-choo-ey-shuhn]

noun

1. continual change from one point or condition to another.

2. wavelike motion; undulation.

3. Genetics.,  a body variation due to environmental factors and not inherited.

Other Word Forms

• nonfluctuation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fluctuation¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin fluctuātiōn- (stem of fluctuātiō ) a fluctuation, wavering. See fluctuate, -ion

Example Sentences

If it is accidental, it’s still commendable that the android’s personality fluctuations look like a conversation with that cinematic cliché.

From Salon

“I think there is going to be a short-term fluctuation in the trend that ultimately corrects itself and resumes the path it was on while Netanyahu is in power,” he said.

From Salon

Krome is unique in the dramatic fluctuation of its detainee population.

From Los Angeles Times

Continuous glucose monitoring of people with and without type 2 diabetics over three days showed that, in participants with diabetes, post-meal sugar fluctuations were significantly smaller after eating a mango.

From BBC

However, she added that there are fluctuations every year "so there isn't anything to take away at this point".

From BBC

Related Words

• variation 

When To Use

What does fluctuation mean?

Fluctuation is continual change.It’s a noun form of the verb fluctuate, meaning to continually change or shift back and forth.Fluctuation 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.Example: The fluctuation of the volume on my TV is really annoying—it gets louder during commercials and then it gets quiet again when the show comes back on.