Fickle — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈfi-kəl/ fick·le

Meaning & Definition of Fickle

Fickle (adjective)

  1. marked by lack of steadfastness, constancy, or stability, given to erratic changeableness

Fickle (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly

    "a fickle friendship that was on and off over the years"

    similar: capricious, changeable, changeful, flickery, fluctuating, fluid, inconsistent, inconstant, mercurial, mutable, skittish, temperamental, uncertain, unpredictable, unsettled, unstable, unsteady, variable, volatile, up in the air
    related: aimless, arbitrary, desultory, erratic, haphazard, hit-or-miss, irregular, random, scattered, slapdash, stray, ambivalent, hesitating, shaky, shilly-shally, shilly-shallying, vacillating, wavering, dicey, undependable, unreliable, untrustworthy, adaptable, mobile, protean, versatile
    opposite: certain, changeless, constant, immutable, invariable, predictable, settled, stable, stationary, steady, unchangeable, unchanging, unvarying
    near: equable, even, uniform, abiding, durable, lasting, permanent, persistent, dependable, reliable, sure, tried, tried-and-true, true, trustworthy, trusty

  2. not true in one's allegiance to someone or something

    "when the family's fortune disappeared, so did their fickle friends"

    similar: disloyal, faithless, false, inconstant, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, treacherous, unfaithful, untrue
    related: irresponsible, trustless, undependable, unreliable, untrustworthy, faltering, hesitant, vacillating, wavering, dubious, irresolute, uncertain, apathetic, dispassionate, uninterested
    opposite: constant, dedicated, devoted, devout, down-the-line, faithful, fast, loyal, staunch, steadfast, steady, true
    near: dependable, dutiful, reliable, responsible, solid, tried, tried-and-true, trustable, trustworthy, trusty, unfaltering, unhesitating, unwavering, determined, intent, resolute, confirmed, dyed-in-the-wool, inveterate, sworn, ardent, avid, enthusiastic, fervent, fervid, impassioned, passionate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Fickle

The most common words with a similar meaning to Fickle:

capricious, changeable, changeful, flickery, fluctuating, fluid, inconsistent, inconstant, mercurial, mutable, skittish, temperamental, uncertain, unpredictable, unsettled, unstable, unsteady, variable, volatile, disloyal, faithless, false, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, treacherous, unfaithful, untrue, up in the air

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Fickle

Words with the opposite meaning of Fickle:

certain, changeless, constant, immutable, invariable, predictable, settled, stable, stationary, steady, unchangeable, unchanging, unvarying, dedicated, devoted, devout, down-the-line, faithful, fast, loyal, staunch, steadfast, true

Related Words for Fickle

aimless, arbitrary, desultory, erratic, haphazard, hit-or-miss, irregular, random, scattered, slapdash, stray, ambivalent, hesitating, shaky, shilly-shally, shilly-shallying, vacillating, wavering, dicey, undependable, unreliable, untrustworthy, adaptable, mobile, protean, versatile, irresponsible, trustless, faltering, hesitant

Near Antonyms of Fickle

equable, even, uniform, abiding, durable, lasting, permanent, persistent, dependable, reliable, sure, tried, tried-and-true, trustworthy, trusty, dutiful, responsible, solid, trustable, unfaltering, unhesitating, unwavering, determined, intent, resolute, confirmed, dyed-in-the-wool, inveterate, sworn, ardent

Word Forms of Fickle

Derived words: fickleness (noun), fickly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Fickle

Middle English fikel deceitful, inconstant, from Old English ficol deceitful; akin to Old English befician to deceive, and probably to Old English fāh hostile foe

First known use: 13th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Fickle

What does "Fickle" mean?

"Fickle" means marked by lack of steadfastness, constancy, or stability, given to erratic changeableness. As an adjective, it is defined as: marked by lack of steadfastness, constancy, or stability, given to erratic changeableness. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Fickle"?

Other words for "Fickle" include capricious, changeable, changeful, flickery, fluctuating, fluid, inconsistent and inconstant. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Fickle" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Fickle"?

There are 64 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Fickle". Common alternatives include capricious, changeable, changeful, flickery, fluctuating, fluid, inconsistent, inconstant, mercurial and mutable.

What is the opposite of "Fickle"?

Antonyms of "Fickle" include certain, changeless, constant, immutable, invariable, predictable, settled and stable. Near antonyms include equable, even, uniform and abiding.

How do you use "Fickle" in a sentence?

Examples of "Fickle" in a sentence: "a fickle friendship that was on and off over the years"; "when the family's fortune disappeared, so did their fickle friends".

Is "Fickle" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Fickle" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Fickle"?

"Fickle" is pronounced /ˈfi-kəl/ and divided into syllables as fick·le.

What is the origin of the word "Fickle"?

"Fickle" comes from Middle English fikel deceitful, inconstant, from Old English ficol deceitful; akin to Old English befician to deceive, and probably to Old English fāh hostile foe. First known use: 13th century.