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fluctuate definition

fluc·tu·ate (fluk′c̸ho̵̅o̅ āt′)

intransitive verb fluctuated -·at′ed, fluctuating -·at′·ing

  1. to move back and forth or up and down; rise and fall; undulate, as waves
  2. to be continually changing or varying in an irregular way prices fluctuated wildly

Etymology: < L fluctuatus, pp. of fluctuare < fluctus, a flowing, wave < pp. stem of fluere, to flow < IE *bhleu-, to swell up, flow (> bluster) < base *bhel-, to swell up > ball

transitive verb

to cause to fluctuate

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

fluctuate Synonyms

fluctuate

v.

  1. To be continually changing

    vacillate, waver, shift, vary; see alternate 2, hesitate.

  2. To oscillate

    undulate, vibrate, flutter; see swing 1, wave 3. See syn. study at swing.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

fluctuate Usage Examples

Preposition: on

  • basis: Interest rates in the money market, which fluctuate on a daily basis, are influenced by various factors.

Adjective complement

  • due: Some prices are liable to fluctuate due to our commitment to always offer our customers the best value for money.

Modifying Another Word

  • seasonally: At a regional scale, groundwater levels fluctuate seasonally in response to changes in rainfall.

Present participle complement

  • accord: Populations of shore dock are known to fluctuate according to the severity of winter storms.

Preposition: in

  • accordance: Put simply, this means that your interest rate will fluctuate in accordance with any changes in the underlying base rate.

Preposition: from

  • year: Numbers fluctuate from year to year, with at least two sets in each subject.
fluctuate usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"fluctuate." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/fluctuate>

APA Style

fluctuate. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/fluctuate

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