Mercurial

Pronunciation: /mərˈkjʊriəl/

Definitions of mercurial

adjective subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind

Example Sentences

A1 She is a mercurial person, always changing her mind.

A2 His mercurial temperament makes it difficult to predict his reactions.

B1 The stock market is known for its mercurial nature, with prices fluctuating rapidly.

B2 Her mercurial moods can be challenging to deal with, but also make life interesting.

C1 The artist's mercurial creativity led to a diverse range of masterpieces.

C2 The CEO's mercurial leadership style kept employees on their toes, but also drove innovation.

Examples of mercurial in a Sentence

formal His mercurial temperament made it difficult to predict his reactions in a professional setting.

informal She's so mercurial, one minute she's happy and the next she's upset.

slang I can't keep up with his mercurial moods, it's like he's always changing his mind.

figurative The stock market can be mercurial, fluctuating wildly from one day to the next.

Grammatical Forms of mercurial

• past tense: mercurialized
• plural: mercurials
• comparative: more mercurial
• superlative: most mercurial
• present tense: is mercurial
• future tense: will be mercurial
• perfect tense: has been mercurial
• continuous tense: is being mercurial
• singular: mercurial
• positive degree: very mercurial
• infinitive: to be mercurial
• gerund: being mercurial
• participle: mercurialing

Origin and Evolution of mercurial

First Known Use: 0014 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'mercurial' originates from the Latin word 'mercurialis', which is derived from the name of the Roman god Mercury, known for his speed and unpredictability.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe someone who is quick-witted, lively, and changeable in temperament, the word 'mercurial' has evolved to also refer to something that is volatile, fickle, or subject to sudden changes.