fickle

USAGE SUMMARY

'fickle' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's moods or behaviour that often changes in a short amount of time. For example, "He was so fickle that I couldn't rely on him to stay the same for more than a day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As someone who has experienced the music industry first hand, the points O'Connor made about its fickle nature and how hyper-sexualisation of women roars throughout, to some extent, are correct.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the Tea Party's fickle and hive-like nature virtually demands that Cruz cycle out of the spotlight eventually.

The Guardian - Opinion

Trying to be down with the kids has often left film-makers lost, desperately appealing to a fickle audience who are busy moving on to the next craze.

The Guardian - Film

So of the moment that it felt dated a month after release, its fickle intended audience failed to hURL themselves out of bed to bother watching it and it became a fascinating 90s relic, complete with three unwanted soundtracks.

The Guardian - Film

Scales can seem extraordinary fickle at times, with weight fluctuating by nearly 1kg from day to day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Analysts consistently warn that while Sisi currently has the backing of many sections of society, the electorate has proved fickle in the recent past.

The Guardian

Thus the fickle finger of fate swings again, with Piers as a Time Lord of Liberty.

The Guardian

Barclays' forecasters should have been more alert to the regulatory dangers but everybody was caught out by fickle FICC.

The Guardian - Business

The pitch was too fickle, the ball swung, the Australians were on top, the situation of being 92 runs behind and three wickets left was too desperate: all-out attack it had to be.

The Guardian - Sport

But Egyptians have proven themselves fickle in their support for public figures".

The Guardian

One thing that can never be taken away, however, is the surrealist vision of climate campaigner and former US vice president Al Gore standing with Clive Palmer to endorse the fickle policy hopes of the latter - a man who wants to mine 40 million tonnes of coal from Queensland's Galilee Basin and in so doing liberate an estimated 3,291 million tonnes of CO2-e into the atmosphere over 30 years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing individuals or entities as "fickle", provide context to illustrate the nature and consequences of their changeability. Specific examples enhance the impact of the descriptor.

Common error

Avoid using "fickle" as a standalone judgment. Instead, clarify why something or someone is considered "fickle" by providing specific instances or patterns of behavior.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "fickle" primarily functions as an attributive adjective, modifying nouns to describe their changeable or unreliable nature. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically sound and readily understood in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Business

12%

Film

3%

Less common in

Sport

2%

Travel

2%

Lifestyle

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "fickle" is a commonly used adjective to describe something or someone prone to unpredictable change. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It often implies unreliability, but the tone is neutral, fitting for news and general discourse. When using "fickle", context is key to convey the specific nature of the changeability, and alternatives like "capricious" or "mercurial" can offer nuanced meanings. Understanding these subtle differences and avoiding overuse enhances clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capricious

Implies impulsiveness and unpredictability, often driven by whim.

mercurial

Suggests rapid and unpredictable changes in mood or temperament.

unpredictable

Focuses on the inability to foresee or anticipate behavior or outcomes.

erratic

Highlights irregularity and inconsistency in behavior or performance.

volatile

Emphasizes the potential for sudden and dramatic changes, often with negative connotations.

mutable

Indicates a capacity for or tendency to change; this term is less commonly used to describe people.

wavering

Suggests indecision and a tendency to fluctuate between different options or opinions.

inconstant

Highlights a lack of steadfastness or reliability.

changeable

Simply emphasizes the ability or tendency to change, without necessarily implying unreliability.

flighty

Suggests a lack of seriousness or focus, often implying a short attention span.

FAQs

How can I use "fickle" in a sentence?

You can use "fickle" to describe someone or something that changes frequently and unpredictably, such as "The stock market is notoriously fickle" or "She's a fickle friend, always changing her mind about plans".

What are some synonyms for "fickle"?

Alternatives to "fickle" include "capricious", "mercurial", "unpredictable", and "volatile", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "fickle" and "inconsistent"?

"Fickle" implies a rapid and unpredictable change of mind or loyalty, while "inconsistent" simply means lacking uniformity or regularity. Someone "fickle" might change their opinion on a whim, whereas someone "inconsistent" might perform tasks with varying levels of quality.

Is it always negative to describe something as "fickle"?

While "fickle" often carries a negative connotation suggesting unreliability, it can also be used neutrally to describe something that is simply prone to change, like "the fickle weather".