volatile

Adj

1. Evaporating or vaporizing readily under normal conditions.
2. (informal) Explosive.
3. (usually) Variable or erratic.
4. Quick to become angry or violent.
5. Fickle.
6. Temporary or ephemeral.
7. Potentially violent.
8. Having its associated memory immediately updated with any changes in value.
9. Whose content is lost when the computer is powered down.
10. (obsolete) Passing through the air on wings, or by the buoyant force of the atmosphere; flying; having the power to fly.

Noun

1. A chemical or compound that changes into a gas easily.
2. A variable that is volatile, i.e. has its associated memory immediately updated with any change in value.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈvɒl.əˌtaɪ.(ə)l/

Etymology

From Middle French volatile, from Latin volātilis (“flying; swift; temporary; volatile”), from volō (“I fly”).

Synonyms

fickle

unstable

inconstant

variable

mercurial

explosive

unsteady

mutable

changeable

uncertain

flighty

fluctuating

unsettled

wavering

quicksilver

erratic

changeful

divers

diversified

evanescent

evaporative

flammable

floating

fluid

flyaway

flying

frisky

fugacious

gay

grig

incendiary

inconsistent

inflammable

insincere

jaunty

labile

lightsome

live

lively

lurid

moody

peppy

perky

pliant

poignant

quick

quick-witted

racy

remittent

shifty

Translations

volatil

volátil

volatile

volátil

volàtil

instável

volúvel

flüchtig

πτητικός

lotny

brisant

unbeständig

inconstant

volubile

zmienny