Word
yoyo
/ˈjoʊjoʊ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small round toy on a string that goes down and comes back up when you throw it.
n. a toy made of two joined discs with a string wound around the centre, made to rise and fall by a downward throw and flick of the wrist.
Examples
“The child plays with his red yoyo.”
“She winds the string and throws the yoyo down, then smiles when it climbs back to her hand.”
“The market moved like a yoyo all week, rising sharply each morning only to fall again by evening.”
Examples
simple
“The child plays with his red yoyo.”
contextual
“She winds the string and throws the yoyo down, then smiles when it climbs back to her hand.”
complex
“The market moved like a yoyo all week, rising sharply each morning only to fall again by evening.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “yoyo” in context.
Verb
01. play with yoyo
“The kids are playing with a yoyo in the playground.”
verb + prep + noun
02. throw yoyo
“Throw the yoyo down hard and wait for it to come back.”
verb + noun
03. wind yoyo
“You need to wind the yoyo up before you throw it again.”
verb + noun
04. yoyo drops
“Watch how the yoyo drops and then climbs back up.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. classic yoyo
“He takes his classic yoyo to school every day.”
adj + noun
06. plastic yoyo
“She bought a cheap plastic yoyo at the toy shop.”
adj + noun
07. wooden yoyo
“My grandfather gave me an old wooden yoyo from his childhood.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. yoyo competition
“Our school held a fun yoyo competition last Friday.”
noun + noun
09. do tricks with a yoyo
“He can do cool tricks with a yoyo.”
10. learn a yoyo trick
“I want to learn a yoyo trick this weekend.”
11. play with a yoyo
“The boy likes to play with a yoyo after school.”
12. wind up the yoyo
“Wind up the yoyo before you throw it down.”
Etymology
Genericized trademark. Likely from Ilocano yóyo or another Philippine cognate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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