feedback
FEED-bak
/ˈfiːdbæk/
Information about reactions to a product, a person's performance of a task, etc., used as a basis for improvement.
Feedback can be positive or negative, but in a professional setting, it should always be 'actionable'—meaning the person knows what to do next.
The story behind the word. The term originated in the field of electronics and cybernetics in the 1920s, describing a system where the output is 'fed back' into the input to control the machine. It wasn't until the 1940s that it began to be used to describe human communication.
Word relationships
- critique: A critique is a detailed analysis; feedback is often more immediate and focused on improvement.
- response: A response is just an answer; feedback is an answer specifically intended to help someone improve.
Commonly confused with
- criticism: Criticism often focuses on what is wrong; feedback (ideally) focuses on how to make it right.
Collocations
- constructive feedback
- give feedback
- receive feedback
- positive feedback
Idioms & expressions
- feedback loop
Example sentences
- "I'd like to give you some feedback on your presentation from yesterday." A manager speaking to an employee.
- "We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we improve." A famous quote on growth.
Memory hook
You 'feed' someone information to help them 'back' on the right track. Feeding information back to the source.
When not to use
Avoid using 'feedback' when you are giving a direct command or an order; feedback implies a response to something already done.
Fun facts
- In audio, 'feedback' is that screeching sound you hear when a microphone gets too close to a speaker—a literal loop of sound.
Related words
Explore more words
give feedback, actionable, iterate, iteration, formative, take action
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