Tempestuous vs. Volatile — What's the Difference?

Characterized by violent emotions or actions; tumultuous

Evaporating readily at normal temperatures and pressures.

Of, relating to, or resembling a tempest

Capable of being readily vaporized.

Of, or resembling, a tempest; stormy, tumultuous.

Tending to vary often or widely, as in price

Of or pertaining to a tempest; involving or resembling a tempest; turbulent; violent; stormy; as, tempestuous weather; a tempestuous night; a tempestuous debate.

Inconstant; fickle

(of the elements) as if showing violent anger;

Lighthearted; flighty

Ephemeral; fleeting.

Tending to violence; explosive

Flying or capable of flying; volant.

(Computers) Of or relating to memory whose data is erased when the memory's power is interrupted.

(physics) Evaporating or vaporizing readily under normal conditions.

Explosive.

(of a price etc) Variable or erratic.

(of a person) Quick to become angry or violent.

Fickle.

Temporary or ephemeral.

(of a situation) Potentially violent.

Having its associated memory immediately updated with any changes in value.

Whose content is lost when the computer is powered down

(obsolete) Passing through the air on wings, or by the buoyant force of the atmosphere; flying; having the power to fly.

A chemical or compound that changes into a gas easily.

(programming) A variable that is volatile, i.e. has its associated memory immediately updated with any change in value.

Passing through the air on wings, or by the buoyant force of the atmosphere; flying; having the power to fly.

Capable of wasting away, or of easily passing into the aëriform state; subject to evaporation.

Fig.: Light-hearted; easily affected by circumstances; airy; lively; hence, changeable; fickle; as, a volatile temper.

A winged animal; wild fowl; game.

A volatile substance; a substance that changes readily from solid or liquid to a vapor;

Evaporating readily at normal temperatures and pressures;

Liable to lead to sudden change or violence;

Marked by erratic changeableness in affections or attachments;

Tending to vary often or widely;