English vocabulary · C2
Mercurial
/mɝːˈkjʊr.i.əl/ · adj.
A mercurial person has moods that change fast. A smile may turn to anger. Others cannot tell what mood will be next.
Watch the Mercurial lessonContinue in the learning app for video lessons and review.
Example sentences
- My mercurial boss smiled, then yelled.
- Mercurial moods hurt us.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- Mercurialis — of Mercury (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- FICKLE — often changing what you want (Changing choices)
- CHANGEABLE — able to change often (Not staying the same)
- MOODY — often changing how you feel (Changing feelings)
Similar words
- fickle
- changeable
- moody
- volatile
- unpredictable
Lesson notes
A mercurial person has moods that change fast. A smile may turn to anger. Others cannot tell what mood will be next.
Related: fickle, changeable, moody. Use mercurial when moods shift.
My mercurial boss smiled, then yelled. Mercurial moods hurt us.
From Latin. Mercurialis- means of Mercury. Mercurial moods can turn from glad to mad in no time.