LookItUp

back and forth

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌbæk ən ˈfɔrθ/ · UK /ˌbæk ən ˈfɔːθ/

back and forth means: Moving repeatedly in one direction and then in the opposite direction.

adverb

BOTH DIRECTIONSB1

Moving repeatedly in one direction and then in the opposite direction.

  • The swing moved back and forth.
  • He walked back and forth across the room.
  • Why are you rocking back and forth?

Similar words: to and fro, backwards and forwards

Common phrases: walk back and forth, swing back and forth

CHANGING CHOICEB2

Repeatedly changing your choice or opinion between different possibilities.

  • I keep going back and forth about moving.
  • She went back and forth between buying and renting.
  • We went back and forth on the date before finally choosing Friday.

How to use it: go back and forth between A and B (I keep going back and forth between the two designs.); go back and forth on something (We went back and forth on whether to sell.)

Similar words: indecisively

Common phrases: go back and forth, back and forth between

noun

EXCHANGE OF VIEWSB2

A discussion in which people keep replying to each other.

  • There was some back-and-forth about the price.
  • After weeks of back-and-forth, they signed the agreement.
  • I enjoyed the lively back-and-forth between the speakers.

How to use it: back and forth between people (There was some back-and-forth between the buyer and seller.); back and forth over something (We had a long back-and-forth over the price.)

Similar words: exchange, discussion, dialogue

Common phrases: some back and forth, endless back and forth

RETURNING MOVEMENTC1

Repeated movement in one direction and then back to the starting point.

  • The back-and-forth of the swing calmed her.
  • I watched the steady back-and-forth of the pendulum.
  • The boat’s constant back-and-forth made him feel ill.

Similar words: to-and-fro, oscillation

Common phrases: constant back and forth, gentle back and forth

adjective

REPEATED MOVEMENTB2

Describing movement that repeatedly changes to the opposite direction.

  • The back-and-forth motion made me sleepy.
  • Use a gentle back-and-forth movement with the brush.
  • The machine produces a steady back-and-forth motion.

Similar words: to-and-fro, reciprocating

Common phrases: back and forth movement, back and forth motion

verb

MOVE OR SWITCHC2

To move repeatedly in opposite directions or keep changing between choices.

  • We back and forth over every little decision.
  • They back-and-forthed between the two plans for weeks.
  • The vans back and forth between the warehouses all day.

How to use it: back and forth between A and B (We back and forth between these options every week.)

Similar words: shuttle, vacillate

Common phrases: back and forth between, back and forth endlessly

Questions about back and forth

What does back and forth mean?

Moving repeatedly in one direction and then in the opposite direction.

What is back and forth in other languages?

Türkçe: ileri geri · Español: de un lado a otro · Français: d’avant en arrière · Deutsch: hin und her · Italiano: avanti e indietro · 日本語: 行ったり来たり

How do you pronounce back and forth?

In American English /ˌbæk ən ˈfɔrθ/; in British English /ˌbæk ən ˈfɔːθ/.

How do you use back and forth in a sentence?

The swing moved back and forth. He walked back and forth across the room.

Learn back and forth while you read

LookItUp shows the meaning that fits your sentence, in your language, and turns new words into quick practice cards.

Coming soon on the App Store LookItUp app for iPhone and iPad

back and forth in other languages

More words