yo-yo Hear it!

yo-yo Definition

yo·-yo (yō′)

noun pl. yo·-yos′

  1. a spool-like toy attached to one end of a string upon which it may be made to spin up and down
  2. Slang a person regarded as stupid, ineffectual, inept, eccentric, etc.

Etymology: < ?: the toy came to the U.S. from the Philippines

adjective

Informal up-and-down; fluctuating; variable

intransitive verb yo·-yoed′, yo·-yo′ing

Informal to move up and down; fluctuate; vary

yo-yo Usage Examples

Possessives

  • effect: Zooming in and then out creates an ugly ' yo-yo ' effect.

Adjective modifier

  • human: You will be a human yo-yo with the ground rushing up to meet you and falling away just as quickly!

Modifies a noun

  • dieter: Leila had been a yo-yo dieter for most of her adult life.
  • effect: It is our view that clients prefer steady rates year on year, not a yo-yo effect.
  • diet: Same as a yo-yo diet I'm afraid - the weight goes back on.
  • trick: Posted 31 May 1999 This is a nice book of basic yo-yo tricks.
  • existence: Newport have enjoyed a yo-yo existence in the top flight.
  • club: We would not want to be a yo-yo club.

Browse dictionary entries near yo-yo

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  2. yo
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  4. YMMV
  5. Ymir
  6. YMHA
  7. YMCA
  8. ylem
  9. ylang-ylang
  10. -yl
  1. yo-yo stock
  2. yob
  3. yock
  4. yocto-
  5. yod
  6. yodel
  7. yoga
  8. yogh
  9. yogi
  10. yogurt