up-and-down

1 of 2

adjective

1
: marked by alternate upward and downward movement, action, or surface
2

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
That up-and-down series of events was illustrative of how the talks moved. Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2023 Sports After an up-and-down career, White Abarrio takes victory in Breeders’ Cup Classic Nov. 4, 2023 Because Del Mar is owned by the state, its attendance figures are public record and audited. John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2023 This up-and-down temperature pattern is about to relent to cooler air starting Friday into the weekend. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2023 As a student of film history, Payne knows well the up-and-down cycles of cinematic careers. Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2023 For the hostages’ families, it’s been an anguishing, up-and-down week. Adam Sella, New York Times, 21 Oct. 2023 It’s been a little more up-and-down for the Jets, who lost their star quarterback Aaron Rodgers just four plays into the first game of the year. Tim Chan, Variety, 15 Oct. 2023 During this gathering, Aaliyah was ready to give things a second try, but Uche rejected the offer, citing his frustrations with Aaliyah's inconsistencies and up-and-down behavior after the experiment. Joelle Goldstein, Peoplemag, 14 Oct. 2023 Another crucial feature of dressing for fall’s up-and-down weather is layers. Malia Griggs, SELF, 11 Oct. 2023
Adverb
On the courts of the Roundball Classic, Vaccaro forged connections with all kinds of coaches and athletes up and down the East Coast. William Goodman, Men's Health, 8 Apr. 2023 Councilmember Marcus Bush said that repealing the cruising ban was not just about being free to take a person’s ride up and down a city street. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2023 Over the coming weeks, the ship would be seen cruising up and down the Hudson River, astounding locals who gawked at its six decks, helipad and hot tub. Paul Kiel, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2023 In 1953, the same year Roger Mastrude drove up and down the West Coast for the Foreign Policy Association, Langston Hughes published a short story in the Chicago Defender in which his character Simple, a stand-in for the common man, wishes to become a giant. Andrew Lanham, The New Republic, 5 Apr. 2023 Other interior features include smart air vents that swivel side to side and up and down with the aid of electric motors. Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 5 Apr. 2023 It's always been very up and down. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2023 And round heads are the easiest to move up and down and rotate while also concealing the mechanical joints and electronics inside. IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'up-and-down.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of up-and-down was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near up-and-down

up-and-coming

up-and-down

up and down

Cite this Entry

“Up-and-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up-and-down. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

up-and-down

adjective
1
: marked by alternate upward and downward movement, action, or surface
2

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