oscilar

oh-see-LAR/osiˈlaɾ/

“oscilar” means “to fluctuate” in Spanish (prices, numbers, or feelings).

to fluctuate

Also: to swing, to range between

VerbB1regular ar

A colorful butterfly flying up and down in a wavy path through the air.

gerundoscilando

past Participleoscilado

infinitiveoscilar

📝 In Action

Los precios de la fruta oscilan según la temporada.

Fruit prices fluctuate depending on the season.

La temperatura oscilará entre los 15 y 20 grados.

The temperature will range between 15 and 20 degrees.

El péndulo del reloj dejó de oscilar.

The clock's pendulum stopped swinging.

Word Connections

Synonyms

fluctuar (to fluctuate)
balancearse (to sway/swing)
variar (to vary)

Antonyms

estabilizarse (to stabilize)
mantenerse (to remain steady)

Common Collocations

oscilar entre – to range between / to fluctuate between
oscilar violentamente – to swing or fluctuate wildly

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesoscilaran

yooscilara

túoscilaras

vosotrososcilarais

nosotrososciláramos

él/ella/ustedoscilara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesoscilen

yooscile

túosciles

vosotrososciléis

nosotrososcilemos

él/ella/ustedoscile

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesoscilaron

yooscilé

túoscilaste

vosotrososcilasteis

nosotrososcilamos

él/ella/ustedosciló

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesoscilaban

yooscilaba

túoscilabas

vosotrososcilabais

nosotrososcilábamos

él/ella/ustedoscilaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesoscilan

yooscilo

túoscilas

vosotrososciláis

nosotrososcilamos

él/ella/ustedoscila

View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "oscilar" in Spanish:

to fluctuate→to swing→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: oscilar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly describes a price range?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

oscilación(oscillation/fluctuation) — Noun

oscilante(swinging/fluctuating) — Adjective

osciloscopio(oscilloscope) — Noun

🎵 Rhymes▼

brillar caminar llegar

📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'oscillare', meaning 'to swing'. It was originally used to describe a mask of Bacchus that would swing from a tree in a vineyard to bring good luck.

First recorded: 17th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: oscillateFrench: oscillerItalian: oscillare

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'oscilar' a common word?

It is quite common in specific contexts like weather reports (temperatures), financial news (prices), or science, but you won't hear it in every casual conversation.

Can I use 'oscilar' for a person's mood?

Yes! You can say someone's mood 'oscila' if it changes frequently between happy and sad.

Is 'oscilar' a regular verb?

Yes, it follows all the standard rules for verbs ending in -ar.