to-and-fro

noun \ ˌtü-ən-ˈfrō \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Definition of to-and-fro

: activity involving alternating movement in opposite directions

the busy to-and-fro of the holiday shoppers

First Known Use of to-and-fro

1553

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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to-and-fro

adjective

Definition of to-and-fro

: forward and backward

See to-and-fro defined for kids

First Known Use of to-and-fro

1749

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

to and fro

adverb

Definition of to and fro

: from one place to another

Recent Examples of to and fro from the Web

Watching the guys dodge and dive to and fro while being bossed around by these hardcore kids was everything.

— becca kufrin, PEOPLE.com, "Bachelorette Becca Kufrin Explains Her Frustration Over Colton's Past with Tia: 'Can I Trust Him?'," 5 June 2018
The Warriors at their best are like a basketball version of the Blue Angels, with players darting to and fro while stopping only briefly to set a few screens along the way.

— sam amick, USA TODAY, "The Warriors' magic number: How 300 has helped fuel a dynasty," 14 May 2018
The four different guys who have already traveled the Triple-A to and fro.

— kevin acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Goodness of Padres' bullpen relied on too greatly," 18 Apr. 2018
The tour sites are close enough to each other to walk or bike to and fro.

— calvin finch, San Antonio Express-News, "Explore the ‘secret gardens’ of King William," 27 Apr. 2018
This may have freed the creatures’ strong forelimbs—tipped with sharp claws—for defense, allowing them to swivel to and fro.

— sid perkins, Science | AAAS, "Ancient human-sloth hunt hinted at in 15,000-year-old footprints," 25 Apr. 2018
Thursday there barely was time to breathe as the lead flipped to and fro, every basket seeming like a huge one, until Philly's late pull-away.

— greg cote, miamiherald, "Why did the Heat lose Game 3? Start with Embiid showing up and Whiteside disappearing | Miami Herald," 19 Apr. 2018
In the film’s most cruelly funny touch, LeClaire HQ is an airy paradise of svelte Olympian beauties passing to and fro between marketing meetings and modeling appointments.

— ty burr, BostonGlobe.com, "‘I Feel Pretty,’ Amy Schumer’s new comedy, is pretty confusing at times," 18 Apr. 2018
Lyette and David, who don't have any household help but do have two tortoises and a dog, ferry them to and fro activities in their 17-seater Dodge Sprinter.

— Fox News, "Florida 'supermom' of 16 home schools kids, shuttles them to 88 sports practices weekly," 11 Apr. 2018

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.

First Known Use of to and fro

14th century

in the meaning defined above

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to-and-fro

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to and fro

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to and fro

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