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

Morton has certainly endured his share of injuries throughout an up-and-down professional career since getting drafted 22 years ago by the Braves out of Joel Barlow High School in Connecticut. —Mike Fitzpatrick, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2024

Marvel’s diplomatically up-and-down recent history has sat alongside a desire from its parent company Disney to see the studio capitalize on the post-Endgame era with Marvel content overflowing from not just the box office, but our TV screens as well. —James Whitbrook / Gizmodo, Quartz, 8 May 2024

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

Kids Definition

up-and-down

adjective

1

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

2

: perpendicular entry 1 sense 1