fluc ‧ tu ‧ a ‧ tion AC /ˌflʌktʃuˈeɪʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ fluctuate ; noun : ↑ fluctuation ]
a change in a price, amount, level etc SYN variation
fluctuation in
the fluctuation in interest rates
Prices are subject to fluctuation.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ change noun [uncountable and countable] a situation in which someone or something becomes different, or the act of making something different:
There was a sudden change in the weather.
|
We are living in a period of great change.
|
He was told to make some slight changes to his essay.
▪ alteration noun [uncountable and countable] a change, especially a small one that happens naturally or gradually, or one that is made in order to improve something:
I noticed a slight alteration in her behaviour.
|
They had to make some alterations to their original theory.
▪ reform noun [uncountable and countable] a change made to a system or law in order to improve it:
He called for a reform of our outdated voting system.
|
Many people opposed the economic reforms.
▪ shift noun [countable] a change, especially in people’s attitudes or in the way they do things, or in the position of someone or something:
a shift in public opinion about the war
|
There has been a noticeable shift in government policy on education.
|
There needs to be a major shift away from road transport to rail transport.
|
After he died, there was a dramatic shift in the balance of power.
▪ swing a big change, especially in someone’s opinions or moods:
There has been a big swing toward the Democrats (=many more people are supporting them) .
|
The drug can cause mood swings.
▪ fluctuation noun [uncountable and countable] a change in something - used when something changes often:
fluctuations in the value of the dollar
|
temperature fluctuations
|
fluctuations in his mood
|
There has been some fluctuation in productivity levels.