back-and-forth

1 of 2

noun

ˈbak-ən(d)-ˈfȯrth 

: discussion sense 1, give-and-take

also : exchange sense 1

back and forth

2 of 2

adverb

: backward and forward

also : between two places or persons

Synonyms

Noun

• barter
• commutation
• dicker
• exchange
• quid pro quo
• swap
• trade
• trade-off
• truck

Examples of back-and-forth in a Sentence

Noun

after the usual back-and-forth of official gifts, the two leaders entered into a serious discussion

the others listened with relish to the back-and-forth between the two noted professors

Adverb

The chair rocked back and forth.

The children were shuttled back and forth between school and home.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The song was just that sensational, not only dazzling those who’d been invested in the back-and-forth from the start, but also delighting casual music fans of all stripes. —Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 23 Dec. 2024

This fixation is a pity, since opera, like any art form, thrives on debate, disagreement, the back-and-forth of the public sphere. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024

Adverb

Their mom, Shira Moffatt, captured the scene as the elk excitedly nudged the ball back and forth with the teens for several minutes. —Ronnie Li, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024

Deadline offers our usual recap, followed by a back and forth discussion between Mike Fleming Jr and Lynette Rice, who has spent a lot of time covering the Taylor Sheridan Universe. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1941, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1613, in the meaning defined above