fluctuate
to rise and fall irregularly
Root
- flu / flux: flow
Other words with the flu / flux root
Fluct gives flow. To fluctuate is to move like a wave: up, down, up again.
Her practice scores fluctuated until she fixed timing and stopped guessing late.
Fluctuate is change with motion, not a single switch. Prices, moods, scores, and temperatures rise and fall as if they are floating on uneven water.