0%

to-and-fro

to-and-fro
T t

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [too and froh]
    • /tu ænd froʊ/
    • /tuː ənd frəʊ/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [too and froh]
    • /tu ænd froʊ/

Definitions of to-and-fro word

  • adjective to-and-fro back-and-forth: to-and-fro motion. 1
  • noun plural to-and-fro a continuous or regular movement backward and forward; an alternating movement, flux, flow, etc.: the to-and-fro of the surf. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of to-and-fro

First appearance:

before 1820
One of the 38% newest English words
First recorded in 1820-30; adj. and noun use of adv. phrase to and (fro) ( def 2 )

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for To-and-fro

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

to-and-fro popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 39% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 63% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

Synonyms for to-and-fro

noun to-and-fro

  • demurral — the act or an instance of demurring
  • indecisiveness — characterized by indecision, as persons; irresolute; undecided.
  • irresolution — lack of resolution; lack of decision or purpose; vacillation.
  • delaying — to put off to a later time; defer; postpone: The pilot delayed the flight until the weather cleared.
  • faltering — to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent, etc.; give way: Her courage did not falter at the prospect of hardship.

See also

Matching words

Was this page helpful?
Yes No
Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page
Tell us why?