to-and-fro

noun

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\ ˌtü-ən-ˈfrō

Definition of to-and-fro

(Entry 1 of 3)

: activity involving alternating movement in opposite directions the busy to-and-fro of the holiday shoppers

to-and-fro

adjective

Definition of to-and-fro (Entry 2 of 3)

: forward and backward

to and fro

adverb

Definition of to and fro (Entry 3 of 3)

: from one place to another

Examples of to-and-fro in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb During this promenade à deux, both scorpions face one another, pincers interlocked, and tango to and fro across the savanna, occasionally even interlocking mouthparts in a sort of scorpion kiss. — Bradley Allf, Smithsonian Magazine, "For Constipated Scorpions, Females Suffer Reproductively. Males, Not So Much.," 1 Mar. 2021 His wheelchair rocked to and fro, sometimes threatening to ram into the building. — New York Times, "He Climbed 800 Feet in a Wheelchair. Hong Kong Watched in Awe.," 18 Jan. 2021 Both films are in black and white, and both are chronologically restless, dancing to and fro from year to year. — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, "“Mank” and the Making of “Citizen Kane”," 13 Nov. 2020 The specter of the coronavirus adds a layer of irony to the idea of funeral directors shuttling groups of senior citizens to and fro, but worry not. — Annie White, Car and Driver, "Seniors: Your Local Funeral Home May Give You a Ride to the Polls," 27 Oct. 2020 There’s no narrative, just the actors — who play themselves — moving to and fro, trading off their sometimes lyrical meditations. — Maya Phillips, New York Times, "Two New York Neighborhoods Set the Stage for Decadence and Loss," 21 Oct. 2020 Special low-loading trailers carry the parts to and fro across the channel. — J. A. Maxtone Graham, Popular Mechanics, "You, Too, Can Break the Sound Barrier," 24 Sep. 2020 Strangest of all are the rigs carrying new cars to and fro. — Richard Brookhiser, National Review, "One Gate to the City," 17 Sep. 2020 Perhaps 50 boats drifted to and fro in the choppy water for around an hour. — John Pana, cleveland, "Boats parade Lake Erie to show support for President Trump (photos)," 7 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'to-and-fro.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.