'Bubble'

A "bubble" in economic or financial contexts refers to a situation where the prices of assets—such as stocks, real estate, or commodities—rise rapidly beyond their intrinsic value, driven by speculation and investor enthusiasm. This inflation of prices is often fueled by optimism, herd behavior, or speculative trading. Eventually, when confidence wanes or reality catches up with inflated expectations, the bubble bursts, leading to a sharp decline in asset prices. Bubbles can cause significant financial instability, impacting investors, markets, and the broader economy.