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Labile Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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labile

[หˆleษชbaษชl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

emotional

Likely to change, unstable, unpredictable.

Synonyms

changeable, unpredictable, unstable, volatile.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
labile

Used in scientific or medical contexts to describe something that is easily altered or unstable.

  • Her mood was labile, changing from happiness to sadness within minutes
unstable

Describes something that is not steady and likely to change, often used negatively.

  • The political situation in the country is very unstable, leading to widespread uncertainty
volatile

Refers to something that can change rapidly and unpredictably, often in a way that involves sudden violence or anger.

  • The stock market has been extremely volatile this year, with sharp rises and falls in prices
unpredictable

Used to describe something or someone that cannot be predicted or is erratic.

  • His behavior is so unpredictable; one moment he's happy, the next he's angry
changeable

Refers to something that can be changed or is likely to change.

  • The weather in this region is very changeable; you can experience all four seasons in one day

Examples of usage

  • Her labile emotions made it difficult to know how she would react.
  • The political situation in the country was very labile.
  • His labile personality made it hard for him to maintain stable relationships.
Context #2 | Adjective

chemistry

Readily or continually undergoing chemical, physical, or biological change or breakdown.

Synonyms

reactive, unstable, volatile.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
labile

This word is often used in a medical or psychological context to describe emotions or mood changes that are easily altered.

  • Her mood has been quite labile lately; she goes from happy to sad within minutes
reactive

Used to describe someone or something that responds quickly or intensely to a stimulus or change. Common in both scientific and everyday contexts.

  • The chemical is highly reactive, so handle it with care
  • He is very reactive to criticism, often getting defensive
unstable

Refers to something that is likely to change, fail, or is not firmly established. Often used in both technical and everyday language.

  • The political situation in the country is unstable
  • The ladder seems a bit unstable, so be careful climbing it
volatile

Describes something that can change rapidly and unpredictably, often with the implication of being dangerous or causing trouble. Used in both technical and everyday contexts, often with a negative connotation.

  • The stock market can be very volatile
  • He has a volatile temper and can become angry without warning

Examples of usage

  • The labile nature of the compound made it difficult to study.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'labile'

The word 'labile' comes from the Latin word 'labilis', which means 'liable to slip or fall'. It first appeared in English in the mid-17th century. Originally used in a more literal sense to describe physical instability, it later evolved to also encompass emotional and chemical instability.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,232, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.