Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

up and down

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.75 in modern English

Syllables: up- and -down
IPA

16

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

Upward and downward, alternately.

adv

Forwards and backwards alternately along a path.

adv

Staunchly, unwaveringly, obstinately.

adv

In various places, e.g., in a country.

adj

Vertical; perpendicular; said of the cable when the anchor is under, or nearly under, the hawse hole, and the cable is taut.

adj

Plain; downright.

adj

Of a building, having two stories.

Example Sentences

"the tide goes up and down"
"my blood pressure goes up and down"
"She looked me up and down and hinted that I could do with losing some weight."
"I quickly eyed the building up and down."
"The people on the bus go up and down, up and down, up and down. The people on the bus go up and down, all through the town."
"walk up and down the corridor"

Phrases

ups and downs

Frequently Paired Words

ups and downs back and forth

Questions

What does up and down mean?: Upward and downward, alternately.

How to pronounce up and down

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “up and down”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “up and down”.
Repeat and practice — Say “up and down” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.