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Fickle

Often changing; unstable or inconsistent in behavior, opinions, or loyalties.

adjective

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Imagine This

Freckles are often changing where they surface, sometimes on the face, sometimes on the chin, and sometimes on the forehead.

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Sounds Like

FIK-uhl

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Looks Like

Looks like other -le adjectives; visually resembles words like 'pickle' (letters and ending).

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Remember This

Fickle describes people or things that change their mind or become loyal only temporarily; opposite of steadfast or reliable.

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Other Forms

ficklenessnoun

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Connect With

Capricious, mercurial, volatile, whimsical, unpredictable

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Note

Use fickle for people or moods that are capriciously changing; not suitable for unchanging facts or constants. Avoid overusing with inanimate objects that are steady.

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Study Deeper

Examples

Her fickle tastes in music shifted from classical to hip hop within a month.
The audience's fickle support made it hard for the team to stay motivated during the season.

Synonyms

capriciousmercurialvolatilewhimsicalunpredictable

Antonyms

stableconstantsteadfast

Etymology

From Middle English fickle, from Old English ficol (deceitful). The ultimate origin is uncertain; the sense shifted to 'changeable' over time. First attested in the 13th–14th century.

Mnemonic

FICKLE stands for Frequent Inconstancy, Changes Keeps Leaving Everyone.