back and forth
Definition Synonyms
Definition of back and forth - Reverso English Dictionary
Adverb
1.
movementmoving repeatedly between two places
- She paced back and forth in the room.
2.
alternationalternating between two states or conditions
- The conversation went back and forth for hours.
Adjective
movementmoving in opposite directions repeatedly
- The back and forth motion of the swing was calming.
Noun
1.
movementsrepeated movement in opposite directions
- The pendulum swung back and forth steadily..
2.
discussionexchange of ideas or arguments
- Their back and forth led to a great solution.
Expressions with back and forth
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move repeatedly between two places
The bus shuttles back and forth between the airport and the hotel.
move in one direction and then into the opposite direction
The pendulum moves back and forth continuously.
communicate via email frequently
We email back and forth to stay updated on the progress.
move many times between two places or areas
During the day, nurses go back and forth between different rooms.
Terms with back and forth included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
cause movement
cause to move quickly back and forth or up and down
gentle motion
move gently back and forth
physical motion
rapid movement back and forth or up and down
motion
move back and forth from a fixed point
motion
move back and forth repeatedly
hand motion
gesture moving the hand back and forth
anxious walking
walk back and forth in a small area
movement
the act of moving back and forth repeatedly
motion
the act of moving back and forth
physical action
move someone back and forth quickly and strongly
physical action
move something quickly back and forth or up and down
walking
walk back and forth in a space
repetitive walking
act of walking back and forth repeatedly
baby care
move a baby's bed gently back and forth
soothe
gently move back and forth to help someone sleep
physical action
move hands back and forth against each other
motion
moving slowly back and forth
motion
movement back and forth or side to side
movement
moving back and forth in the wind
play
rock back and forth on a playground board that tips
apply pressure
move hand or cloth back and forth on a surface with pressure
motion
moving back and forth or from side to side
playground equipment
move back and forth while sitting on a swing
cutting wood
cut something repeatedly using a back-and-forth motion
Examples of back and forth in a sentence
The debate went back and forth for hours. She paced back and forth while thinking. The back and forth pattern of the pendulum was mesmerizing. She watched the back and forth traffic from her window. The child rocked the chair back and forth. Boats moved back and forth in the harbor.
The back and forth in the meeting was intense. Their back and forth covered all the important points.
View all translations of back and forth
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:d'avant en arrière, va-et-vient, ...
- German:hin und her, pendelnd, ...
- Italian:avanti e indietro, oscillante, ...
- Spanish:de un lado a otro, ...
- Portuguese:de cá para lá, para frente e para trás, ...
- Chinese:来回, 来回的, ...
- Japanese:行ったり来たり, 前後の, ...
- Arabic:ذَهَابًا وَإِيَابًا, مُتَأَرْجِح, ...
- Hebrew:הָלוֹךְ וָשׁוֹב, הָלוֹךְ וְחָזוֹר, ...
- Russian:взад и вперед, маятниковый, ...
- Ukrainian:туди-сюди, маятниковий, ...
- Hindi:आगे-पीछे, आवागमन, ...
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