undo
7 antonyms and opposites of undo, grouped by meaning.
Verb — To reverse or cancel the effect of something already done.
Antonyms
How to use undo
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English ondōn, from a Germanic root meaning "to do the opposite of" — un- plus do.
Full origin of undo →Frequently asked questions
What does “undo” mean?
The word “undo” means to reverse or cancel the effect of something already done. In plain terms, to reverse something — put it back the way it was, unfasten it, or ruin it.
How do you pronounce “undo”?
“Undo” is pronounced uhn-DOO (/ʌnˈduː/ in IPA).
How do you use “undo” in a sentence?
Here is “undo” used in a sentence: “It took years to undo the damage caused by the flood.”
What is the opposite of “undo”?
The opposite of “undo” — its antonyms — are redo, do up, button, button up and tie up.
What part of speech is “undo”?
Depending on how it is used, “undo” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “undo” come from?
The word “undo” comes from Old English. From Old English ondōn, from a Germanic root meaning "to do the opposite of" — un- plus do.
Is “undo” a common word?
“Undo” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “undo” have?
“Undo” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to reverse or cancel the effect of something already done.
What is the difference between undo and delete?
Undo reverses a previous action so things return to how they were before, while delete permanently removes something without restoring any prior state. In software, undo is typically reversible again through redo, whereas delete usually is not unless a separate recovery feature exists.
How is undo used differently as a verb and a noun?
As a verb, undo means to reverse an action or unfasten something, as in 'undo the damage' or 'undo your zip.' As a noun, undo (or 'the undo') refers to the command or feature itself, such as clicking undo in a word processor.
What is a common mistake when using undo in a sentence?
A frequent error is confusing undo with 'undue,' which is an unrelated word meaning excessive or inappropriate. Undo always relates to reversing an action, fastening, or downfall, while undue describes something unwarranted.