Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

fluctuation

/flʌkt͡ʃuːˈeɪʃən/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.89 in modern English

Syllables: fluc-tu-a-tion
IPA: /flʌkt͡ʃuːˈeɪʃən/

16

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

4

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A motion like that of waves; a moving in this and that direction; an irregular rising and falling.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A wavering; unsteadiness.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

In medicine, a wave-like motion or undulation of a fluid in a natural or abnormal cavity (e.g. pus in an abscess), which is felt during palpation or percussion.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"the fluctuations of the sea"
"The rolling stock has been specially designed to meet the needs of the fluctuation of traffic in peak and off-peak periods."
"The scientific instruments of the day recorded rapid fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field, as powerful electrical currents flowed through the upper atmosphere."
"fluctuations of opinion"
"fluctuations of prices"

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin fluctuatiōnem, accusative singular of fluctuatiō, from fluctuō, from fluctus. Morphologically fluctuate + -ion.

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: fluctuatiōnem
Suffix: fluctuate

Usage

Inflected Forms

fluctuations (plural)

Derived Forms

cofluctuation fluctuational microfluctuation refluctuation

Phrases

fluctuation theorem quantum fluctuation

Frequently Paired Words

fluctuate

Synonyms

wavering variation

Rhymes With

information education situation population station association administration operation organization nation location application

Questions

How do you pronounce fluctuation?: The recorded pronunciation is /flʌkt͡ʃuːˈeɪʃən/.
What does fluctuation mean?: A motion like that of waves; a moving in this and that direction; an irregular rising and falling.
Where does fluctuation come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce fluctuation

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “fluctuation”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/flʌkt͡ʃuːˈeɪʃən/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “fluctuation”.
Repeat and practice — Say “fluctuation” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.