yo-yo

American  

[yoh-yoh] / ˈyoʊ yoʊ /

noun

plural

yo-yos

1. a spoollike toy consisting of two thick wooden, plastic, or metal disks connected by a dowel pin in the center to which a string is attached, one end being looped around the player's finger so that the toy can be spun out and reeled in by wrist motion.

2. something that fluctuates or moves up and down, especially suddenly or repeatedly.

3. Slang. a stupid, foolish, or incompetent person.

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adjective

1. Informal. moving up and down or back and forth; fluctuating; vacillating.

   yo-yo prices; a yo-yo foreign policy.

verb (used without object)

1. Informal. to move up and down or back and forth; fluctuate or vacillate.

   Mortgage rates are still yo-yoing.

verb (used with object)

1. Informal. to cause to yo-yo.

yo-yo British  

/ ˈjəʊjəʊ /

noun

1. a toy consisting of a spool attached to a string, the end of which is held while it is repeatedly spun out and reeled in

2. slang a stupid person, esp one who is easily manipulated

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verb

1. informal to change repeatedly from one position to another; fluctuate

adjective

1. informal changing repeatedly; fluctuating

Etymology

Origin of yo-yo

First recorded in 1915–20; of undetermined origin; possibly from Ilocano yóyo or a related language as the name of a Philippine toy

Example Sentences

They use a "flywheel exercise device," similar to a yo-yo, that can allow for aerobics like rowing as well as provide resistance to perform moves like weighted squats and deadlifts.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

In combination with the 'boost', which allows the driver to override the car's programmed systems to have maximum electrical energy on demand, this has led to what has been referred to as "yo-yo racing".

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

The sector’s shrinkage reflects years of yo-yo profitability and of returning gobs of cash to shareholders because companies lacked good reinvestment opportunities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

When she started using the injectable, Winfrey told People she welcomed the arrival of a tool to help her get away from the yo-yo path she’d been on for decades.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 30, 2025

Sure, Andy was still silly, making yo-yo grades, Rob was still the best player on the team, Tyrone spent most of his time with Rhonda, and B.J. was still short.

From "Forged by Fire" by Sharon M. Draper

Related Words

• dither
• falter
• fluctuate
• hedge
• hesitate
• oscillate
• pause
• quiver
• seesaw
• shake
• sway
• teeter
• tremble
• vacillate
• vary
• waffle
• wobble