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feedback

FEED-bak /ˈfiːdbæk/

nounB2TOEFLIELTS

neutral

Information about reactions to a product, a person's performance of a task, etc., used as a basis for improvement.

Implies a response that is often evaluative and intended to guide future actions, whether positive (reinforcing) or constructive (suggesting change).

The story behind the word. The word 'feedback' is a compound word that emerged in the early 20th century, particularly in the fields of engineering and cybernetics. It literally means to 'feed back' information from the output of a system to its input, allowing for adjustment and control. This concept was then adopted into social sciences and management to describe the process of providing information about performance or reactions to guide future behavior or development.

Word relationships

critique: A detailed analysis and assessment of something, often with a focus on its flaws or merits, typically more formal and in-depth than general feedback.
assessment: The evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something; often a more formal process than feedback.
response: A general reply or reaction, which can be feedback but lacks the specific implication of information for improvement.

Commonly confused with

criticism: Criticism can be negative and judgmental; feedback is ideally constructive and aimed at improvement, whether positive or negative.

Collocations

constructive feedback
positive feedback
negative feedback
give feedback
receive feedback
solicit feedback

Example sentences

"The manager provided detailed feedback on the employee's project work, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for growth." During a performance review.
"We collected user feedback throughout the beta testing phase to refine the new application before its official launch." Developing a new software feature.

Memory hook

FEEDBACK is like 'FEEDING' information 'BACK' into a system to make it better. Feed back info

When not to use

Avoid using 'feedback' for general comments or opinions that aren't specifically aimed at providing information for improvement. It's more structured than just 'telling someone what you think'.

Fun facts

The concept of feedback loops is fundamental in control systems, from thermostats to complex industrial machinery.
In a workplace context, '360-degree feedback' is a common practice where employees receive anonymous feedback from their peers, subordinates, and superiors.