noun
dodo
DOH-doh
Dodo (noun) means a large flightless bird from Mauritius that became extinct in the 1600s. Example: “The dodo vanished not long after sailors arrived on the island.”
noun
1
A large flightless bird from Mauritius that became extinct in the 1600s.
"The dodo vanished not long after sailors arrived on the island."
2
A person or idea considered hopelessly outdated.
"Critics called the old policy a dodo, ready to be replaced."
How to use dodo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe extinct flightless bird, now used figuratively for anything hopelessly outdated.
Common pairings
dead as a dodo
go the way of the dodo
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Word forms
- Plural
- dodoes, dodos
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ vanished not long after sailors arrived on the island.
Etymology
Origin uncertain, possibly from an old Portuguese word for "fool" or from Dutch dodaars; first recorded in the 1600s.
Class of 1600
dodo joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
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Rhymes for dodo
See all rhymes for dodo →Frequently asked questions
What does “dodo” mean?
The word “dodo” means a large flightless bird from Mauritius that became extinct in the 1600s. In plain terms, the extinct flightless bird, now used figuratively for anything hopelessly outdated.
How do you pronounce “dodo”?
“Dodo” is pronounced DOH-doh (/ˈdoʊˌdoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dodo” in a sentence?
Here is “dodo” used in a sentence: “The dodo vanished not long after sailors arrived on the island.”
What part of speech is “dodo”?
“Dodo” is a noun.
Where does the word “dodo” come from?
The word “dodo” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Dutch. Origin uncertain, possibly from an old Portuguese word for "fool" or from Dutch dodaars; first recorded in the 1600s.
How many meanings does “dodo” have?
“Dodo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large flightless bird from Mauritius that became extinct in the 1600s.
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