up-and-down

1 of 2

adjective

ˌəp-ən(d)-ˈdau̇n 

ˌəp-ᵊm-

1

: marked by alternate upward and downward movement, action, or surface

2

: perpendicular

up and down

2 of 2

adverb

1

: to and fro

paced up and down

2

: so as to move upward and then downward repeatedly

jumping up and down

3

archaic : here and there especially throughout an area

4

: with regard to every particular : thoroughly

knew the territory up and down

up and down preposition

Examples of up-and-down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Johnson succeeded as a more pro-ready sophomore next to Aday Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg on Michigan’s championship team, while Cenac flashed tools as an up-and-down freshman for Houston. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 15 June 2026

During an up-and-down first season on Tyneside, Ramsey ended the campaign with positive momentum and the 25-year-old has the athleticism, but more importantly the technical proficiency, to help Newcastle improve their on-the-ball approach. —Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 June 2026

Adverb

There were RBIs up and down the board as multiple players had extra-base hits. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 19 June 2026

Harlan Coben adaptations have been up and down, but most are positively reviewed, with at least 9 out of 11 adaptations at a 70% or above on Rotten Tomatoes. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for up-and-down

• chinatown
• tumbledown
• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown

Kids Definition

up-and-down

adjective

1

: marked by alternate upward and downward movement, action, or surface

2

: perpendicular entry 1 sense 1