Meaning & use
oscillates
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“oscillates” is a form of “oscillate”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitivephysics
Moves steadily back and forth, or up and down, between two points or values, as a pendulum does.
Grammar: No object: the pendulum oscillates. A direction can follow with between: it oscillates between two points.
Patterns
- something oscillates between A and B
- something oscillates around something
The pendulum oscillates once every two seconds.
The signal oscillates between high and low voltage.
A spring oscillates when you pull it down and let go.
verbintransitivefigurative
Keeps changing from one feeling, opinion or condition to another and back again.
Grammar: No object, and usually followed by between: she oscillates between hope and despair.
Patterns
- someone oscillates between A and B
He oscillates between confidence and doubt before every exam.
The price oscillates between two values each week.
Word forms
| base | oscillate |
|---|---|
| past | oscillated |
| -ing | oscillating |
Common combinations
- oscillates between
- The mood oscillates between joy and anger.
- oscillates rapidly
- The crystal oscillates rapidly when current flows.
- oscillates around
- The temperature oscillates around the average.
- oscillates back and forth
- The pendulum oscillates back and forth.
Synonyms and how they differ
- swings
- Swings is more everyday and often suggests a bigger motion, while oscillates implies a regular, repeated pattern.
- fluctuates
- Fluctuates is for irregular up-and-down changes, whereas oscillates suggests a more regular movement.
- vacillates
- Vacillates is only about people who cannot decide, while oscillates also works for objects and signals.
- vibrates
- Vibrates describes a quick shaking motion, while oscillates can be slow or fast.
Opposites
Word family
- oscillate verb
- to move regularly back and forth
- oscillation noun
- one complete back-and-forth movement
- oscillator noun
- a device that produces regular oscillations
- oscillating adjective
- moving back and forth
Commonly confused: oscillates or osculates?
oscillates vs osculates
Osculate is a rare word meaning to kiss or to touch, so it looks similar but has a different meaning.
Practice
The pendulum ___ between two fixed points.
Choose one answer.
A singular subject needs the third-person -s form, so oscillates. Oscillate would only suit a plural subject.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “oscillates”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.