Labile: meaning, definitions and examples

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labile

[ ˈleɪbaɪl ]

^{Context #1}

emotional

Likely to change, unstable, unpredictable.

Synonyms

changeable, unpredictable, unstable, volatile

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}

chemistry

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

Synonyms

reactive, unstable, volatile

Examples of usage

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

Translations

Translations of the word "labile" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lábil

🇮🇳 परिवर्ती

🇩🇪 labil

🇮🇩 labil

🇺🇦 лабільний

🇵🇱 labilny

🇯🇵 不安定

🇫🇷 labile

🇪🇸 lábil

🇹🇷 labil

🇰🇷 불안정한

🇸🇦 غير مستقر

🇨🇿 labilní

🇸🇰 labilný

🇨🇳 不稳定

🇸🇮 labilen

🇮🇸 óstöðugur

🇰🇿 тұрақсыз

🇬🇪 ლაბილი

🇦🇿 labil

🇲🇽 lábil

Word origin

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.