dodo

noun

do·​do ˈdō-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce dodo (audio)
plural dodoes or dodos
1
a
: an extinct heavy flightless bird (Raphus cucullatus synonym Didus ineptus of the family Raphidae) of the island of Mauritius that was larger than a turkey and was related to the pigeon
b
: an extinct flightless bird (Raphus solitarius) of the island of Réunion similar to and closely related to the dodo
2
a
: one hopelessly behind the times
b
: a stupid person

Illustration of dodo

Illustration of dodo
  • dodo 1a

Examples of dodo in a Sentence

That dodo can't do anything right. I feel like a complete dodo.
Recent Examples on the Web There’s no guarantee that Colossal will be successful at bringing back a functional mammoth or dodo. Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 21 Feb. 2024 With decade-long dominance going the way of the dinosaurs and the dodos, anyone who builds a Kluber-like case over a five-year period in the future will be building himself a Cooperstown case — even if the architect isn’t likely to be honored with a plaque inside the Hall of Fame. Jerry Beach, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Someone must be stuck being gangly and awkward, with stubby little dodo wings that never fly, only flap. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 25 Jan. 2024 The firm landed a $150 million investment to back its latest ambitious endeavor to revive dodo birds in January. Arcelia Martin, Dallas News, 19 Sep. 2023 The Nacional, with its distinctive and celebrated flavor, seemed to be a thing of the past—the dodo bird of the chocolate world. Heide Brandes, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2023 The company is moving forward with plans to revive the the dodo. Theara Coleman, The Week, 22 Feb. 2023 The Southwest Conference went the way of the dodo, and the WAC no longer has a presence in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Erick Smith, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023 Bilateral cooperation between law enforcement agencies would go the way of the dodo, making future operations almost impossible. Brynn Tannehill, The New Republic, 24 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dodo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese doudo, from doudo silly, stupid

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dodo was in 1628

Dictionary Entries Near dodo

Cite this Entry

“Dodo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dodo. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dodo

noun
do·​do ˈdōd-ō How to pronounce dodo (audio)
plural dodoes or dodos
1
: a large heavy flightless extinct bird related to the pigeons and formerly found on some of the islands of the Indian Ocean
2
a
: a person who is hopelessly behind the times
b
: a stupid person
Etymology

from Portuguese doudo, name given by Portuguese sailors to the bird, from doudo (adjective) "silly, stupid"

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