back-and-forth

1 of 2

noun

ˈbak-ən(d)-ˈfȯrth 

: discussion sense 1, give-and-take

also : exchange sense 1

back and forth

2 of 2

adverb

: backward and forward

also : between two places or persons

Synonyms of back-and-forth

Noun

• exchange

Examples of back-and-forth in a Sentence

Noun

after the usual back-and-forth of official gifts, the two leaders entered into a serious discussion

the others listened with relish to the back-and-forth between the two noted professors

Adverb

The chair rocked back and forth.

The children were shuttled back and forth between school and home.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Baltimore took down the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro after a back-and-forth game that ended on Tyler Loop’s 56-yard field goal as time expired. — Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 28 Sep. 2026

This resembles what played out in June and July, when back-and-forth trading eventually gave way to another push higher. — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026

Adverb

Her sons asserted in their lawsuit that the frequent trips back and forth to the hospital hastened their mother's demise. — Jordan Rau, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

Klein not only wrote the score but co-wrote some of the songs and supervised others, bouncing ideas back and forth with Anders and Rachtman. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1941, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1613, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for back-and-forth

• fourth
• henceforth
• thenceforth