yo-yo

1 of 3

noun

ˈyō-(ˌ)yō 

plural yo-yos

1

: a thick grooved double disk with a string attached to its center axle that is made to fall and rise to the hand by unwinding and rewinding on the string

2

: a condition or situation marked by regular fluctuations from one extreme to another

3

: a stupid or foolish person

yo-yo

2 of 3

adjective

: shifting back and forth or up and down uncertainly or unexpectedly

yo-yo

3 of 3

verb

yo-yoed; yo-yoing

intransitive verb

: to move from one position to another repeatedly : fluctuate

the stock price yo-yoed

Synonyms

Noun

• berk [British]
• booby
• charlie [British]
• charley
• cuckoo
• ding-a-ling
• ding-dong
• dingbat
• dipstick
• doofus [slang]
• featherhead
• fool
• git [British]
• goose
• half-wit
• jackass
• lunatic
• mooncalf
• nincompoop
• ninny
• ninnyhammer
• nit [chiefly British]
• nitwit
• nut
• nutcase
• simp
• simpleton
• turkey

Examples of yo-yo in a Sentence

Noun

some yo-yo cut the electricity off while I still had unsaved data

those yo-yos who insist upon using their cell phones while speeding down the highway

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If the two late games should find millions of fans draining the batteries in their remotes as they yo-yo back and forth between Philly and Detroit, the networks are hoping that the rare 4:20 overlap won’t give rise to the ratings cannibalism that’s blighted previous doubleheader double-downs. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 13 Dec. 2024

Jefferson motioned like a yo-yo before his first touchdown, climbing up to the second level and snatching a pass with outstretched hands. —Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Related: It’s been a yo-yo season for the Bruins’ Jakub Lauko. —Matt Porter, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Mar. 2023

Verb

Michigan gas prices continue to yo-yo, falling more than a dime in the last week to a statewide average of $3.60 a gallon for regular unleaded, as motorists pay about $54 for a 15-gallon tank, as crude oil prices fall, according to AAA auto club. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 6 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably from Ilocano yóyo, or a cognate word in a language of the Philippines

First Known Use

Noun

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1932, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1967, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

yo-yo

noun

ˈyō-ˌyō

plural yo-yos

1

: a thick divided disk that is made to fall and rise to the hand by unwinding and rewinding on a string

2

: fool entry 1 sense 1