Words / C1

flukch-oo-AYSHUN/ˌflʌktʃuˈeɪʃn/

A fluctuation is an irregular rise and fall in amount or level: price fluctuation, attendance fluctuation. Fluctuate (already in the dictionary) is the verb; “character” is not a rota finding.

Meaning

An irregular rise and fall in amount or level (from fluctuate, already in the dictionary).

Examples

• “Night-attendance fluctuation is a rota finding, not “character”.”
• “Variation is everyday. Oscillation is the lab twin. Character is a slogan. A gap on the grid is evidence. Staff the night, or name the dip; do not baptise it as colour.”

Good to know

An up-and-down change. Verb: fluctuate (already in the dictionary). “Character” ≠ a rota finding.

Near in meaning

variation, oscillation, swing

New