volatile volatile /ˈvɑːlətəl/

adjective

1. () (chemistry) evaporating readily at normal temperatures and pressures  ( volatile )
   (chemistry) evaporating readily at normal temperatures and pressures
    Volatile oils
   volatile oils
    Volatile solvents
   volatile solvents
   
2. Tending to vary often or widely  ( volatile )
   tending to vary often or widely
    Volatile stocks
   volatile stocks
    Volatile emotions
   volatile emotions
   
3. Marked by erratic changeableness in affections or attachments  ( fickle , volatile )
   marked by erratic changeableness in affections or attachments
    Fickle friends
   fickle friends
    A flirt's volatile affections
   a flirt's volatile affections
   
4. Liable to lead to sudden change or violence  ( volatile , explosive )
   liable to lead to sudden change or violence
    An explosive issue
   an explosive issue
    A volatile situation with troops and rioters eager for a confrontation
   a volatile situation with troops and rioters eager for a confrontation
   

noun

1. A volatile substance; a substance that changes readily from solid or liquid to a vapor  ( volatile )
   a volatile substance; a substance that changes readily from solid or liquid to a vapor
    It was heated to evaporate the volatiles
   it was heated to evaporate the volatiles