来自拉丁语volare,飞，可能来自will,意愿，引申义浮动的，挥发的。

1. There have been riots before and the situation is volatile.

以前曾发生过暴乱，现在局势不太稳定。

2. It's thought that the blast occurred when volatile chemicals exploded.

人们认为，易挥发的化学物质爆炸时产生了冲击波。

3. Armed soldiers guard the streets in this volatile atmosphere.

目前局势动荡不定，有武装士兵在街道上警戒。

4. First McNeil had to cool down the volatile Australian 20-year old.

首先麦克尼尔得让那个脾气暴躁的20岁澳大利亚小伙子冷静下来。

5. He accompanied the volatile actress to Hollywood the following year.

第二年他陪着这位情绪无常的女演员去了好莱坞。