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

The best sign for the Spurs is that Victor Wembanyama has responded to two up-and-down games with nine points in his first nine minutes. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 9 June 2026

Askarov, who turns 24 on June 16, just completed an up-and-down first full year in the NHL. —Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 2 June 2026

Adverb

Given how quickly these thefts can occur, catching a thief in the act would seem like a stroke of luck, though a quick response time could deter strings of thefts up and down a block, as has happened already this year. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026

Good hitters up and down the lineup. —Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 11 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