do
duh
Do (verb) means to perform or carry out an action or task. Example: “Could you do the washing-up while I make the tea?”
verb
1
To perform or carry out an action or task.
"Could you do the washing-up while I make the tea?"
"I need to do my homework before dinner."
"She does everything with real care."
2
Used as a helping verb to form questions and negatives, or for emphasis.
"Do you like coffee?"
"I did lock the door — I checked twice."
"I don't know the answer, but I do want to help."
3
To be sufficient or acceptable.
"A quick sandwich will do for lunch."
"Any old pen will do for signing the form."
"Plain rice will do if we run out of pasta."
4
To fare or get on in a particular way.
"How is your new business doing?"
"How did your sister do at the interview?"
"My tomato plants are doing really well this summer, despite the rain."
noun
1
A social event or party (informal, chiefly British).
"There's a big do at the office on Friday."
"We're having a little do for Gran's birthday next week."
"The wedding do was held in the village hall."
How to use do
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne of the most common verbs in English — used both as a main verb meaning "perform" and as a helper verb in questions, negatives, and emphasis.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "do" (perform, general actions) with "make" (create something new) — you "do the dishes" but "make dinner."
Common pairings
do homework
do a favor
do business
make do
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like do.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- dos
- Third person singular
- does, doth
- Past tense
- did, done
- Archaic forms
- doest, dost, didst, doeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Could you _____ the washing-up while I make the tea?
Etymology
From Old English dōn, a very old Germanic verb going back to a root meaning "to put" or "to place."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
don't
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “do” mean?
The word “do” means to perform or carry out an action or task. In plain terms, one of the most common verbs in English — used both as a main verb meaning "perform" and as a helper verb in questions, negatives, and emphasis.
How do you pronounce “do”?
“Do” is pronounced duh (/də/ in IPA).
How do you use “do” in a sentence?
Here is “do” used in a sentence: “I need to do my homework before dinner.”
What is the opposite of “do”?
The opposite of “do” — its antonyms — is don't.
What part of speech is “do”?
Depending on how it is used, “do” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “do” come from?
The word “do” comes from Old English. From Old English dōn, a very old Germanic verb going back to a root meaning "to put" or "to place.".
Is “do” a common word?
“Do” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “do” have?
“Do” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to perform or carry out an action or task.
What is the difference between "do" and "make"?
"Do" is generally used for actions, tasks, and duties ("do homework," "do the dishes"), while "make" is used for creating or producing something ("make dinner," "make a plan"). Many pairings are fixed collocations — you "make a decision" and "do your best" — so they are learned pattern by pattern.
When is "do" used as a helping verb?
"Do" builds questions and negatives for most verbs: "Do you agree?", "She doesn't drive." It also adds emphasis in positive statements, as in "I do like it," and stands in for a verb already mentioned: "She runs faster than I do".
What is the difference between "do" and "does"?
"Does" is the third-person singular present form, used with "he," "she," "it," or a singular noun: "He does the cooking." All other subjects take "do": "I do," "you do," "they do".
What are the past forms of "do"?
The past tense is "did" ("I did the work yesterday") and the past participle is "done," which needs a helping verb: "I have done the work." Using "done" alone as a past tense — "I done it" — is nonstandard.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include do:
