to-and-fro

1 of 3

noun

ˌtü-ən-ˈfrō 

: activity involving alternating movement in opposite directions

the busy to-and-fro of the holiday shoppers

to-and-fro

2 of 3

adjective

: forward and backward

to and fro

3 of 3

adverb

: from one place to another

Examples of to-and-fro in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The to-and-fro blizzard of assertions and threats by the president has left U.S. Customs offices nearly as confused as U.S. importers and exporters. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 3 Aug. 2025

The 28 Days Later photocall in Paris on June 4 saw Taylor-Johnson wear his beard shaved much lower to his face, but the windy conditions of the day caused his curls to drift to-and-fro. —Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 16 June 2025

Adverb

After a whopper of a week — nights that ended too late and mornings that started too early; shuttling the kids to and fro; seemingly endless cooking, cleaning and commuting — the sweet, languid weekend awaits! —Zach Przystup, Baltimore Sun, 15 Aug. 2025

Most simply move people to and fro, like ferries to places the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii or the Statue of Liberty in New York. —Diana Lambdin Meyer, USA Today, 28 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1553, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1749, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

to-and-fro

adjective

ˌtü-ən-ˈfrō

: forward and backward