fluctuate

Everyday

(formal) To keep changing, going up and down, especially in amount, level or price. tree →

In the lessons

In maths and science, graphs show temperatures or prices that fluctuate. In exams: «The temperature fluctuated throughout the day» means it went up and down. In everyday life, moods and weather can fluctuate.

Examples

• The temperature fluctuated all day. tree →
• Prices fluctuate from week to week. tree →
• Her mood fluctuates when she is tired. tree →
• The river level fluctuates with the tide. tree →
• The graph shows how sales fluctuated. tree →
• The number of visitors fluctuates in the holidays. tree →

Note

Formal word; everyday: «go up and down». Regular verb. Noun: fluctuation. On a line graph, fluctuating values make a zigzag; the range = highest − lowest.