At the A1 level, you don't need to worry about the complex chemical or financial meanings of volatil. Instead, think of it as a word that means 'something that changes very quickly' or 'something that can fly away'. Since it comes from the same root as 'vols' (flights), it helps to imagine a bird that doesn't stay in one place. You might see this word in very simple science texts or in the news when they talk about prices going up and down. Just remember the spelling: for a boy (masculine), it's volatil. For a girl (feminine), it's volatile. At this stage, just knowing it means 'not stable' is enough.
At A2, you can start using volatil to describe the weather or basic prices. If you are talking about the price of fruit or gasoline, and it changes every day, you can say it is volatil. You should also be aware of the noun form un volatil, which is an old-fashioned way to say 'a bird'. You might see this on a sign at a farm or in a storybook. The most important thing for A2 learners is to practice the agreement: le prix volatil vs la météo volatile. You are starting to see that French has specific words for different kinds of 'changing', and volatil is for things that seem to disappear or move like the air.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using volatil in its two main modern contexts: chemistry and finance. You should know that an 'essence volatile' is one that evaporates. In your daily life, you might hear this word on the news regarding the 'marché volatil'. This is a key word for discussing the economy. You can also use it to describe a person's mood, though it sounds a bit formal. For example, 'Son humeur est volatile' (Her mood is volatile). You should be able to distinguish between volatil and instable. Use volatil when you want to emphasize that the change is rapid and frequent.
At B2, you are expected to understand the nuance of volatil in professional and academic settings. You should recognize 'Composés Organiques Volatils' (VOCs) in environmental discussions. You should also be able to use the word metaphorically. For instance, you might describe a political situation in a foreign country as volatile, implying it is a 'powder keg' that could change at any moment. At this level, you should also be careful not to confuse it with the 'faux ami' versatile. Remember that volatil is about the situation or the substance, while versatile is more about a person's character and opinions. Your vocabulary is becoming more precise.
At C1, volatil becomes a tool for sophisticated analysis. You can use it to discuss the 'électorat volatil'—voters who don't have strong party loyalty and change their minds frequently. You understand that the word carries an air of unpredictability and risk. In a literary context, you can appreciate how an author might use volatil to describe something ethereal, like a ghost, a dream, or a fleeting memory. You should also be familiar with the noun form's history and how it appears in classical literature to refer to winged creatures. Your usage should be flawless, including the plural forms volatils and volatiles.
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of volatil across all domains. You can engage in high-level debates about 'volatilité boursière' (market volatility) and its implications for global stability. You can use the word in philosophical contexts to discuss the nature volatile de l'existence (the fleeting nature of existence). You are aware of the word's etymological journey from Latin volatilis to its modern multifaceted roles. You can switch between its technical chemical meaning and its abstract social meaning with ease. You might even use the noun le volatil in a poetic or archaic sense to add flavor to your writing, demonstrating a deep historical understanding of the French language.
volatil in 30 Seconds
- Volatil means evaporating rapidly (science) or changing unpredictably (finance/mood).
- It comes from the Latin 'volare' (to fly), suggesting something that 'flies away'.
- Agreement matters: Masculine 'volatil', Feminine 'volatile', Plural 'volatils/volatiles'.
- Commonly used for gasoline, stock markets, and political situations.
The French word volatil is a fascinating term that bridges the gap between the physical sciences and abstract human concepts. In its most literal sense, derived from the Latin volatilis (winged or flying), it describes a substance that has a natural tendency to evaporate or vaporize at normal temperatures. When you open a bottle of high-proof alcohol or perfume, the immediate scent that hits your nose is due to the volatil nature of the liquid. It literally 'flies' into the air. However, the word has evolved significantly in modern French usage. While it still holds its place in chemistry and physics, you are far more likely to encounter it today in the pages of a financial newspaper or during a political debate. In these contexts, it describes something that is unstable, unpredictable, or subject to rapid and unexpected change. If the stock market is described as volatil, it means prices are swinging wildly. If a political situation is volatile, it suggests that conflict could erupt at any moment. Interestingly, as a noun, un volatil historically referred to any winged creature, particularly birds or poultry, though this usage is now largely confined to specific culinary or agricultural contexts.
- Scientific Application
- Refers to liquids or solids that transform into gas easily, such as ether or gasoline.
- Economic Application
- Describes markets or currencies where values fluctuate significantly over short periods.
- Psychological Application
- Used to describe a person's temperament or mood if it changes rapidly and without warning.
L'essence est un liquide extrêmement volatil, ce qui explique pourquoi l'odeur se propage si vite.
Les investisseurs s'inquiètent car le cours de l'or est devenu très volatil cette semaine.
Le caractère volatil du jeune prince rendait les négociations diplomatiques difficiles.
En chimie organique, nous étudions les composés organiques volatils (COV) et leur impact sur l'air.
La situation sécuritaire dans la région reste volatile malgré le cessez-le-feu.
The conceptual core of volatil is the lack of permanence. Whether it is a gas escaping a container or a price escaping a predictable range, the word implies a state of flux. To master this word is to understand the French perspective on instability—it is not just 'broken' or 'bad,' but rather 'moving' or 'fleeting' like a bird in flight. In a professional setting, describing a project as having des paramètres volatils suggests that the team needs to be agile and ready for change. In literature, it might describe the mémoire volatile (fleeting memory) of a character who forgets their past. This versatility makes it a high-frequency word in both technical and literary French.
Using volatil correctly requires attention to two main things: grammatical agreement and the nuance of the context. As an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. The masculine singular is volatil, the feminine singular is volatile, the masculine plural is volatils, and the feminine plural is volatiles. This is a common trap for English speakers because the English spelling 'volatile' looks exactly like the French feminine form. When you are talking about substances, you will often find it following nouns like liquide, gaz, or substance. In abstract contexts, it frequently modifies marché, prix, humeur, or situation.
- Agreement Rule
- Masculine: Un produit volatil. Feminine: Une solution volatile. Plural: Des éléments volatils.
- Placement
- Usually placed after the noun, as is standard for most descriptive adjectives in French.
- Degree Adverbs
- Often paired with 'très', 'extrêmement', or 'hautement' (highly) to emphasize the intensity of the instability.
Faites attention, ces vapeurs sont volatiles et inflammables.
Le marché des cryptomonnaies est réputé pour être extrêmement volatil.
Elle a un tempérament volatil, passant du rire aux larmes en un instant.
Beyond science and finance, volatil can be used poetically. You might hear of un parfum volatil, suggesting a scent that is delicate and quickly vanishes, or des promesses volatiles, which are promises that carry no weight and are easily forgotten. In the realm of politics, a vote volatil refers to a segment of the electorate that hasn't made up its mind and could switch allegiances at the last minute. This 'swing vote' concept is crucial during French elections. By using volatil, you convey a sense of lightness and motion that synonyms like instable might lack. While instable sounds like something is broken, volatil sounds like something is simply in its nature to move.
The word volatil is ubiquitous in French daily life, though its specific meaning shifts depending on the room you are in. If you are in a kitchen or a farm setting, you might hear 'le volatil' used as a collective noun for birds. However, in the 21st century, the most frequent place you will hear this word is on news channels like BFM TV or France Info. Economic journalists use it daily to describe the CAC 40 (the French stock market index) or the price of oil. In these contexts, it is almost always used as an adjective: 'Les marchés sont très volatils ce matin.' It provides a professional, objective way to say that things are chaotic without using emotional language.
- The Newsroom
- Used to describe fluctuations in currency, stocks, and geopolitical stability.
- The Laboratory
- Essential for discussing evaporation, solvents, and chemical safety protocols.
- The Perfumery
- Describes the 'top notes' of a fragrance that evaporate first to reach the nose.
Le présentateur a dit que l'électorat est de plus en plus volatil.
En cours de physique, nous avons appris que l'éther est un solvant très volatil.
Another common area is the tech world. French IT professionals talk about mémoire volatile when discussing server architecture or data security. If you are reading a French novel, you might encounter volatil used to describe a ghost or a fleeting thought, emphasizing the ethereal and temporary nature of the subject. In the south of France, you might still hear old farmers refer to 'le menu volatil' meaning small birds or poultry, though this is becoming a 'mot de grand-mère' (grandmother word). Regardless of the setting, the word carries a weight of sophistication. It is a 'clean' word—it describes a state of affairs without necessarily passing judgment on it.
The most frequent error English speakers make with volatil is orthographic. Because the English word is 'volatile' (always with an 'e'), there is a strong temptation to add an 'e' to the French masculine form. Remember: un marché volatil (no 'e'), but une situation volatile (with 'e'). Another common mistake is a semantic one: confusing volatil with versatile. In English, 'versatile' means multi-talented or adaptable (positive). In French, versatile is often negative, meaning fickle or prone to changing one's mind constantly. While both words imply change, volatil is about the state of the object (evaporating/unstable), whereas versatile is about the character of the person (changing opinions).
- Spelling Slip-up
- Writing 'un prix volatile' instead of 'un prix volatil'. Check the gender of the noun!
- The 'Versatile' Trap
- Using 'versatile' to mean 'adaptable' when you should use 'polyvalent'.
- Noun vs Adjective
- Using 'un volatil' to mean 'instability'. The noun for instability is 'la volatilité'.
Faux ami: Don't say 'Cet outil est volatil' if you mean it's 'versatile' (use 'polyvalent').
Incorrect: Le gaz est volatile. Correct: Le gaz est volatil.
Finally, be careful with the pronunciation. The final 'l' in volatil is pronounced clearly (vo-la-teel). In the feminine volatile, it is the same sound, but the 'e' is silent. Beginners sometimes try to pronounce the 'e' or skip the 'l' entirely. Another nuance: while volatil can describe a person's mood, it is quite formal. In casual conversation, a French person would more likely use changeant or lunatique. If you use volatil in a bar to describe your friend, you might sound like a textbook or a scientist. Use it where precision and a touch of professional air are required.
If you find yourself using volatil too often, or if it doesn't quite fit the 'vibe' of your sentence, French offers several excellent alternatives. The most direct synonym for the abstract sense is instable. However, instable often implies a lack of balance or a danger of falling, whereas volatil implies a tendency to disappear or change rapidly. For chemical contexts, évaporable is a technical alternative, though much less common. If you are describing a person who changes their mind, versatile or capricieux are better fits. For something that is short-lived, consider éphémère or fugace.
- Instable vs Volatil
- Instable suggests a lack of foundation; volatil suggests a tendency to vanish or fluctuate.
- Éphémère vs Volatil
- Éphémère means it lasts only a short time; volatil means it changes easily.
- Changeant vs Volatil
- Changeant is more common for weather or moods; volatil is more technical or economic.
La météo est changeante en Bretagne (Better than 'volatile' here).
Le bonheur est souvent éphémère (Poetic alternative to 'volatil').
When talking about the noun un volatil, the modern word is almost always un oiseau (a bird) or une volaille (poultry). You will only see volatil as a noun in old books or perhaps on a very traditional restaurant menu in the countryside. In summary, choose your word based on the 'flavor' of the change: use volatil for things that 'fly away' or 'vanish' into new states, instable for things that might collapse, and versatile for people who can't make up their minds. This precision is what makes French such a beautiful language for expressing nuance.
How Formal Is It?
"La volatilité des marchés financiers préoccupe les autorités."
"Ce parfum est très volatil, il ne tient pas longtemps."
"Son humeur est super volatile en ce moment."
"Regarde le petit oiseau, c'est un joli volatil."
"Ses thunes se sont volatilisées !"
Fun Fact
The financial meaning of 'volatil' only became common in the 20th century, borrowing the scientific concept of 'evaporation' to describe disappearing value.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing it like the English 'volatile' (vahl-uh-tuhl).
- Making the 'o' too long like in 'boat'.
- Dropping the final 'l' sound.
- Adding an extra syllable at the end in the masculine form.
- Confusing the pronunciation of 'volatil' and 'volatile' (they are identical in French, but the spelling differs).
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize because of the English cognate.
Tricky spelling (volatil vs volatile) and agreement.
Pronunciation is straightforward but requires the 'eel' sound.
Clear sound, but can be confused with 'versatile' in fast speech.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective Agreement
Un gaz volatil / Des substances volatiles.
Position of Adjectives
L'essence est un produit volatil (Usually after the noun).
Adverbs of Degree
Le marché est extrêmement volatil.
Comparative and Superlative
Ce liquide est le plus volatil de tous.
Noun usage of adjectives
Le volatil (referring to the bird category).
Examples by Level
L'oiseau est un petit volatil.
The bird is a small winged creature.
Here 'volatil' is used as a noun.
Le prix est volatil.
The price is changing fast.
Masculine singular adjective.
L'eau n'est pas très volatile.
Water is not very volatile.
Feminine singular adjective agreement with 'eau'.
C'est un marché volatil.
It is a volatile market.
Adjective follows the noun 'marché'.
Le parfum est volatil.
The perfume is volatile.
Refers to evaporation.
Elle regarde les volatils dans la cour.
She looks at the birds in the yard.
Plural noun form.
Le temps est volatil aujourd'hui.
The weather is volatile today.
Used for rapid weather changes.
Ce gaz est volatil.
This gas is volatile.
Simple adjective use.
L'essence est plus volatile que l'huile.
Gasoline is more volatile than oil.
Comparative structure 'plus... que'.
Le cours du bitcoin est très volatil.
The bitcoin price is very volatile.
Modern financial context.
Il y a beaucoup de volatils dans cette ferme.
There are many birds on this farm.
Noun usage 'volatils'.
Attention, ce liquide est volatil.
Watch out, this liquid is volatile.
Imperative sentence.
L'humeur de mon chat est volatile.
My cat's mood is volatile.
Metaphorical use for temperament.
Les prix des légumes sont volatils en hiver.
Vegetable prices are volatile in winter.
Plural masculine agreement.
Cette substance est hautement volatile.
This substance is highly volatile.
Use of adverb 'hautement'.
Le vent rend la situation volatile.
The wind makes the situation volatile.
Cause and effect.
L'alcool s'évapore car il est volatil.
Alcohol evaporates because it is volatile.
Explaining a physical property.
Les investisseurs n'aiment pas les marchés volatils.
Investors don't like volatile markets.
Plural masculine agreement.
Le caractère volatil de l'artiste surprend tout le monde.
The artist's volatile character surprises everyone.
Abstract noun phrase.
Il faut fermer le flacon, le produit est volatil.
You must close the bottle, the product is volatile.
Practical instruction.
La situation politique est devenue volatile après l'élection.
The political situation became volatile after the election.
Feminine agreement with 'situation'.
Certains solvants sont très volatils et dangereux.
Some solvents are very volatile and dangerous.
Plural masculine.
Sa mémoire est volatile, il oublie tout.
His memory is volatile; he forgets everything.
Metaphorical for 'fleeting'.
L'odeur de la lavande est due à ses huiles volatiles.
The smell of lavender is due to its volatile oils.
Plural feminine agreement.
Les composés organiques volatils polluent l'air intérieur.
Volatile organic compounds pollute indoor air.
Technical term: COV.
Face à un électorat volatil, les sondages sont peu fiables.
Faced with a volatile electorate, polls are unreliable.
Political context.
La volatilité des prix du pétrole affecte toute l'économie.
The volatility of oil prices affects the whole economy.
Noun form 'volatilité'.
Le mercure est un métal qui peut être volatil à haute température.
Mercury is a metal that can be volatile at high temperatures.
Scientific fact.
Elle a un tempérament volatil qui effraie ses collègues.
She has a volatile temperament that scares her colleagues.
Describing personality.
Les données sont stockées dans une mémoire volatile.
The data is stored in volatile memory.
Computing context (RAM).
L'équilibre de cette alliance reste volatil.
The balance of this alliance remains volatile.
Geopolitical metaphor.
L'arôme du café est constitué de molécules volatiles.
The aroma of coffee consists of volatile molecules.
Describing chemistry of food.
L'instabilité de la région crée un climat sécuritaire volatil.
The region's instability creates a volatile security climate.
Complex noun phrase.
Le poète décrit la beauté comme une chose volatile.
The poet describes beauty as a volatile thing.
Philosophical/Literary use.
L'éther est le prototype même du liquide volatil.
Ether is the very prototype of a volatile liquid.
Defining a standard.
Les promesses électorales sont souvent volatiles.
Election promises are often volatile (fleeting).
Cynical political usage.
La réduction des émissions de gaz volatils est une priorité.
Reducing volatile gas emissions is a priority.
Environmental policy.
Le caractère volatil des cryptomonnaies décourage certains épargnants.
The volatile nature of cryptocurrencies discourages some savers.
Economic analysis.
On observe un comportement volatil chez cette espèce d'oiseau.
A volatile (erratic) behavior is observed in this bird species.
Scientific observation.
Sa présence était aussi volatile qu'un rêve au réveil.
Her presence was as volatile as a dream upon waking.
Simile/Poetic structure.
La volatilité inhérente aux marchés émergents nécessite une prudence accrue.
The inherent volatility of emerging markets requires increased caution.
Advanced formal syntax.
L'auteur explore la nature volatile de l'identité post-moderne.
The author explores the volatile nature of post-modern identity.
Academic literary analysis.
Il s'agit d'un composé hautement volatil dont la manipulation exige un protocole strict.
It is a highly volatile compound whose handling requires a strict protocol.
Complex relative clause.
L'évanescence du bonheur est comparée à un parfum volatil.
The fleetingness of happiness is compared to a volatile perfume.
Thematic comparison.
Le terme 'volatil' désignait autrefois tout ce qui appartient au règne des oiseaux.
The term 'volatil' formerly designated everything belonging to the bird kingdom.
Etymological/Historical note.
La structure moléculaire rend ce solvant particulièrement volatil.
The molecular structure makes this solvent particularly volatile.
Causative structure.
Naviguer dans un environnement aussi volatil demande une agilité stratégique.
Navigating such a volatile environment requires strategic agility.
Infinitive as subject.
Les actifs volatils sont souvent exclus des portefeuilles conservateurs.
Volatile assets are often excluded from conservative portfolios.
Passive voice in finance.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To make something unstable or subject to change.
La crise a rendu le marché volatil.
Often Confused With
In French, this means fickle or changing opinions, not multi-talented.
Specifically refers to someone who is unfaithful or fickle in love.
A broader term for anything not stable, while volatil implies rapid change/evaporation.
Idioms & Expressions
— To disappear or leave quickly (rare/poetic).
Ses espoirs se sont envolés comme un volatil.
Literary— To be very fickle or changeable (rare).
Ne compte pas sur lui, il a une humeur de volatil.
Informal— Refers to something that has no substance or won't last.
Ces promesses ? C'est du volatil.
Neutral— To be in an unstable or dangerous situation.
Nous marchons sur un terrain volatil avec ce projet.
Metaphorical— Someone who cannot focus or is always thinking of something else.
C'est un esprit volatil, toujours ailleurs.
Literary— The portion of something that is likely to change or disappear.
Il faut gérer la part volatile du budget.
Financial— Short-lived or non-serious romantic relationships.
Il collectionne les amours volatiles.
Poetic— Health that fluctuates frequently.
Depuis l'hiver, sa santé est volatile.
Neutral— Affectionate or culinary term for a small bird.
Regarde ce joli petit volatil.
Child-friendly/Archaic— Often used to describe confusing or fleeting thoughts.
Ses idées se perdaient en vapeurs volatiles.
LiteraryEasily Confused
English cognate with different meaning.
English 'versatile' = polyvalent. French 'versatile' = fickle.
Un homme versatile change d'avis sans cesse.
Spelling.
English 'volatile' is used for both genders. French uses 'volatil' (m) and 'volatile' (f).
The market is volatile (EN) / Le marché est volatil (FR).
Related meaning.
Volaille is the common word for poultry. Volatil is the archaic/scientific word.
Je mange de la volaille.
Related to gas.
Vaporeux means misty or hazy. Volatil means tending to become vapor.
Une robe vaporeuse.
Related to time.
Fugace means disappearing quickly. Volatil means changing or evaporating quickly.
Un instant fugace.
Sentence Patterns
Le [nom] est volatil.
Le prix est volatil.
C'est un [nom] volatil.
C'est un liquide volatil.
Il est [adverbe] volatil.
Il est très volatil.
À cause de sa nature volatile, [phrase].
À cause de sa nature volatile, l'essence s'évapore.
Face à un [nom] volatil, il faut...
Face à un marché volatil, il faut être prudent.
Nonobstant son caractère volatil, [phrase].
Nonobstant son caractère volatil, cette alliance perdure.
Les [noms] sont volatils.
Les prix sont volatils.
Une mémoire dite volatile.
La RAM est une mémoire dite volatile.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Common in news, science, and business; less common in casual street slang.
-
Un marché volatile
→
Un marché volatil
The masculine form does not have an 'e' at the end.
-
Using 'volatil' for 'multi-talented'
→
Polyvalent
'Volatil' means unstable or evaporating, not multi-talented.
-
Pronouncing it 'vo-la-tile' (like English)
→
vo-la-teel
The 'i' in French is always a 'ee' sound.
-
Des gaz volatiles
→
Des gaz volatils
'Gaz' is masculine, so the plural is 'volatils'.
-
L'essence est volatilement
→
L'essence est volatile
Don't use an adverb when an adjective is needed.
Tips
Gender Check
Always check the noun gender. 'Prix' is masculine, so 'volatil'. 'Situation' is feminine, so 'volatile'.
Finance First
If you are reading the business section, 'volatil' almost always refers to price swings.
The 'L' Sound
Don't drop the 'L'. It's vital for the word to be understood.
Faux Ami Alert
Remember: French 'versatile' is negative, English 'versatile' is positive. Use 'volatil' for instability.
Chemistry Context
Use 'volatil' for solvents like alcohol, acetone, or ether.
Fly Away
Associate it with 'Voler' (to fly). Volatile things fly away into the air.
Pollution Talk
Use it when discussing air quality (Composés Organiques Volatils).
RAM Memory
In tech, 'mémoire volatile' is the standard term for RAM.
Poetic Touch
Use it to describe fleeting feelings or scents in your writing.
No 'e' for Men
Man = Volatil. Woman = Volatile. Don't let the English 'volatile' confuse you.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'VOLcano' emitting 'VOLatil' gas. The gas 'flies' (voler) away quickly.
Visual Association
Imagine a bird (un volatil) flying away from a pile of money that is also turning into steam.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'volatil' to describe three different things today: a smell, a price, and a person's mood.
Word Origin
Comes from the Latin 'volatilis', which means 'winged', 'flying', or 'swift'. It is derived from the verb 'volare' (to fly).
Original meaning: Originally used in French (12th century) to describe birds or anything that has wings and flies.
Indo-European -> Italic -> Latin -> Romance -> French.Cultural Context
No major sensitivities; it is a neutral technical and descriptive term.
English speakers use 'volatile' more broadly for anger. In French, 'volatil' is more about the speed of change than just 'being angry'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Finance
- Marché volatil
- Prix volatil
- Actifs volatils
- Indice de volatilité
Chemistry
- Solvant volatil
- Point d'ébullition
- Vapeurs volatiles
- Substance volatile
Psychology
- Humeur volatile
- Caractère volatil
- Émotions volatiles
- Personnalité volatile
Environment
- Composés organiques volatils
- Pollution de l'air
- Émissions volatiles
- Gaz volatils
Computing
- Mémoire volatile
- Stockage temporaire
- Données volatiles
- RAM
Conversation Starters
"Penses-tu que le marché immobilier est trop volatil en ce moment ?"
"Quels sont les parfums que tu trouves les moins volatils ?"
"As-tu déjà remarqué à quel point l'essence est un liquide volatil ?"
"Est-ce que tu connais des gens avec un tempérament vraiment volatil ?"
"Savais-tu que 'volatil' peut aussi signifier un oiseau en vieux français ?"
Journal Prompts
Décrivez une situation de votre vie qui vous semble très volatile en ce moment.
Si vous étiez un parfum, seriez-vous volatil ou persistant ? Pourquoi ?
Pensez-vous que les réseaux sociaux rendent notre attention plus volatile ?
Écrivez sur un souvenir d'enfance qui vous semble aujourd'hui volatil comme un rêve.
Analysez pourquoi certains investissements sont considérés comme volatils.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is primarily an adjective meaning 'evaporating' or 'unstable'. However, it can be a noun (un volatil) referring to a winged creature, though this is less common today.
The feminine form is 'volatile'. For example: 'une substance volatile'.
Not exactly. In English, a person can have a volatile temper (meaning they get angry fast). In French, 'un tempérament volatil' means they change moods fast, but not necessarily into anger.
COVs stand for 'Composés Organiques Volatils'. They are chemicals that easily enter the air and can be pollutants.
Yes, 'un marché volatil' is one of the most common ways to use this word in modern French.
Yes, sometimes 'le volatil' refers to poultry on fancy menus, but 'la volaille' is more common.
The most common opposites are 'stable', 'fixe', or 'constant'.
It is pronounced like the English word 'eel'. Vo-la-teel.
Yes, especially in news, science, and professional contexts. It is a B1 level word.
Yes, to describe someone whose mood or opinions change very quickly.
Test Yourself 180 questions
Translate: 'The market is volatile.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using 'volatile' (feminine).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Gasoline is a volatile liquid.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use 'volatils' (plural) in a sentence about prices.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Explain in French why alcohol is 'volatil'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'A volatile situation.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Describe a person's mood using 'volatil'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Volatile organic compounds.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using 'le volatil' as a noun.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The prices of oil are volatile.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'He has a volatile memory.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'These chemicals are volatile.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use 'volatiliser' in a sentence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'A volatile electorate.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Describe the weather as 'volatil'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Highly volatile substance.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Volatile assets.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about 'mémoire volatile' (RAM).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The scent is volatile.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'A volatile character.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Pronounce: 'volatil'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Pronounce: 'une situation volatile'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'The market is volatile.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'Gasoline is volatile.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'Volatile prices.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'A volatile mood.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'Volatile Organic Compounds.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'Volatile memory.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Pronounce the plural: 'volatils'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'The situation is very volatile.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'It is a volatile liquid.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'The bird is flying.' (using volatil)
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'Highly volatile.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'Market volatility.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'Volatile perfume.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'Volatile gases.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'His memory is volatile.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'A volatile electorate.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'Volatile assets.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say: 'The ether is volatile.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen and write: 'Le prix est volatil.'
Listen and write: 'Une humeur volatile.'
Listen and write: 'Les marchés sont volatils.'
Listen and write: 'Un liquide volatil.'
Listen and write: 'Composés organiques volatils.'
Listen and write: 'La mémoire est volatile.'
Listen and write: 'L'essence est volatile.'
Listen and write: 'Un électorat volatil.'
Listen and write: 'Des promesses volatiles.'
Listen and write: 'Le volatil s'envole.'
Listen and write: 'C'est très volatil.'
Listen and write: 'Substances volatiles.'
Listen and write: 'Humeur instable et volatile.'
Listen and write: 'Actifs volatils.'
Listen and write: 'Situation politique volatile.'
Translate: 'The situation is more volatile than yesterday.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word <span class='font-bold'>volatil</span> is your go-to term for anything that lacks stability and tends to disappear or shift. Whether you are in a chemistry lab or a bank, it describes rapid movement from one state to another. Example: <i class='italic'>Le marché est volatil.</i>
- Volatil means evaporating rapidly (science) or changing unpredictably (finance/mood).
- It comes from the Latin 'volare' (to fly), suggesting something that 'flies away'.
- Agreement matters: Masculine 'volatil', Feminine 'volatile', Plural 'volatils/volatiles'.
- Commonly used for gasoline, stock markets, and political situations.
Gender Check
Always check the noun gender. 'Prix' is masculine, so 'volatil'. 'Situation' is feminine, so 'volatile'.
Finance First
If you are reading the business section, 'volatil' almost always refers to price swings.
The 'L' Sound
Don't drop the 'L'. It's vital for the word to be understood.
Faux Ami Alert
Remember: French 'versatile' is negative, English 'versatile' is positive. Use 'volatil' for instability.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
More nature words
à ciel ouvert
B1Open-air, under the open sky.
à fleur d'eau
B1At water level; just above the surface of the water.
à l'abri de
B1Sheltered from; safe from.
à l'approche de
B1As (something) approaches; nearing.
à l'aube
B1At dawn; at the very beginning of the day.
à l'écart de
B1Away from; apart from.
à l'état sauvage
B1In the wild; in an untamed state.
à l'extérieur de
A2Outside of.
à l'intérieur de
A2Inside of; within.
à pas lents
B1At a slow pace.
