WordGarden.iofickleness
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /fˈɪkəlnəs/
US
- /ˈfɪkəlnəs/
Meanings
Noun
the quality of changing loyalties, feelings, or choices often and unpredictably
Beyond the definition
Imagine a summer breeze: one moment warm and gentle, the next cool and sharp. That is fickleness in action. It describes someone or something that changes easily in mood, loyalty, or behavior. A fickle friend might be excited about your plans one day and not care much about them the next.
The word works like a flag turning with every gust of wind. You will often see it used for things that are hard to depend on, like the fickleness of fortune or the fickleness of public opinion. It suggests change that comes quickly and without much warning.
Fickleness refers to a tendency to change frequently and unpredictably, especially in feelings, loyalties, or opinions. It suggests a lack of constancy, an inability to stay with something or someone for very long. Think of it as being easily swayed by passing moods or sudden desires.
You might describe a person as fickle if they move from one relationship to another without settling down, or if their opinions change a lot depending on who they are talking to. It can also apply to things beyond people: the fickleness of fashion trends means what is "in" today could be "out" tomorrow.
Historically, fickleness was often linked with romantic love, especially a lover who changed their feelings quickly. Writers such as Shakespeare used fickle and related ideas to describe love, fortune, and human desire as unstable and hard to trust. This older use still shapes the tone of the word today.
Today, while still relevant to romance, fickleness can be used for any situation where inconsistency or unreliability is a key trait. It highlights the brief and changeable nature of things, reminding us that not everything is steady or dependable. So if something keeps shifting in ways you cannot predict, you are likely dealing with fickleness.
Examples
- 1
Relationships
His friends were used to his fickleness in relationships, so no one was surprised when he ended it after a month.
- 2
Fashion trends
Fashion companies have to keep up with the fickleness of public taste.
- 3
Fan loyalty
The singer joked about the fickleness of fans, who can make you famous and forget you just as quickly.
- 4
Politics
In politics, a leader who depends only on popularity will eventually run into the fickleness of public opinion.
See also
Similar
- inconstancy
- capriciousness
- changeability
Shades of meaning
- flightiness
- volatility
- mercuriality
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- the fickleness of public opinion
- the fickleness of fortune
- romantic fickleness
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- ficklenessnoun