3 syllables: Vol, a, tile. Stress on Vol.
VAH-luh-tuhl
/ˈvɑlətəl/
Volatile is pronounced VAH-luh-tuhl (/ˈvɑlətəl/). It has three syllables (Vol-a-tile), with the stress on "Vol". Volatile is a word used to describe substances that vaporize readily at normal temperatures, or metaphorically, moods or situations that are unstable and prone to rapid change. In common usage, it often refers to chemical volatility or to unpredictable, quickly shifting emotional or political climates.
nounVolatile is a word used to describe substances that vaporize readily at normal temperatures, or metaphorically, moods or situations that are unstable and prone to rapid change. In common usage, it often refers to chemical volatility or to unpredictable, quickly shifting emotional or political climates.
"The chemical is highly volatile and must be stored in a sealed container."
"Her mood remained volatile, swinging from cheerful to irritable within minutes."
"Investors warned about volatile markets and sudden price drops."
Volatile is pronounced with two syllables in many contexts (US /ˈvɒ.ləˌtaɪl/ or UK /ˈvɒl.ɪˌteɪl/). In American English, primary stress falls on VOL, with secondary stress on the -ta- segment, ending with -ile that sounds like 'eye l.' In British English, you’ll hear two typical patterns: VOL.ɪ.tɪl or VOL.ə.taɪl, depending on speaker. For careful pronunciation, start with VOL as in 'volcano,' then a light schwa, then a long 'eye' plus ‘l.’ Note the final 'l' is clear in careful speech. Audio reference: try listening to pronunciations on Pronounce or Forvo and mimic the rhythm: strong first syllable, lighter second, final glide toward -təl or -taɪl depending on accent.
Common mistakes: (1) stressing the second syllable instead of the first, turning it into 'vo-LA-tile' or 'VO-luh-tile' with wrong rhythm. (2) Slurring the -taɪl ending into a simple 'tile' or 'till' without the proper 'eye' vowel. (3) In UK English, misplacing the secondary stress leading to an overlong second syllable like 'vol-LI-təl.' Correction tips: practice the two stressed parts clearly: VOL-ə-TAɪL, and keep the final 'l' light but audible. Use minimal pairs to anchor the -ɪ/ɪə vs -aɪl distinction and record yourself to monitor pitch and length.
US: /ˈvɒl.əˌtaɪl/ with primary stress on VOL and secondary on ta-, final -ɪl; rhotic, 'vol' with 'o' like in 'hot'. UK: /ˈvɒl.ɪ.tæl/ or /ˈvɒl.ɪ.teɪl/, more variable; non-rhotic or weak final 'l' in some dialects; the final syllable can shift to /taɪl/ or /təl/ depending on speaker. Australian: typically /ˈvɒl.ɪ.təl/ or /ˈvɒl.ɪteɪl/, with a broader ‘a’ as in 'cat' and a clear 'l' at the end; tends to be less rhotic than US. Focus on the -taɪl vs -təl distinction and the vowel length in the middle syllable.
The difficulty lies in the two-part stress pattern and the final -ile sequence: you maneuver a drop from VOL to a lighter -ə- then into -taɪl, with subtle differences in vowel quality across accents. The mid syllable uses a schwa in most speakers, but some dialects reduce differently, changing the perceived rhythm. The ending -taɪl requires a distinct glide to the final 'l,' and non-native speakers often merge -taɪl into -tl. Practicing with minimal pairs emphasizing the middle schwa and the final vowel helps keep the rhythm intact.
Does 'volatile' ever appear with silent letters? Not in standard English. The letters are all pronounced in careful speech, with the final 'l' kept light and audible. The key nuance is the preserve of the -taɪl or -təl ending depending on rhythm and accent, but no silent letters occur in typical pronunciations in US/UK/AU.
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Volatile comes from the Latin volatilis, meaning ‘that flies, vaporous, readily airborne,’ from volare ‘to fly.’ The form evolved through Old French volatile before entering English in the late 14th century with meanings tied to vaporization or tendency to vaporize. In science, volatility described substances that vaporize easily, aligning with the Latin root volare. By the 18th–19th centuries, volatility broadened to abstract uses—emotions or situations that are prone to rapid, unpredictable change. The core sense preserves the idea of rapid movement or transition, whether a physical state (vapor) or a figurative one (moods, markets). First known uses appear in texts discussing chemistry and weather, expanding into political and social commentary as metaphorical volatility gained prominence in discourse about instability and rapid shifts. Over time, the word developed a strong association with risk, volatility indices, and dynamic, sometimes explosive, changes in various contexts. The trajectory shows a clear path from tangible properties to intangible dynamics, while retaining a common thread of speed, change, and instability.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Volatile" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Volatile"
-ive sounds
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