undo
uhn-DOO
Undo (verb) means to reverse or cancel the effect of something already done. Example: “You can undo your last edit with Ctrl+Z.”
verb
1
To reverse or cancel the effect of something already done.
"You can undo your last edit with Ctrl+Z."
"It took years to undo the damage caused by the flood."
2
To unfasten something, such as a knot, button, or zip.
"She undid the top button of her coat."
3
To ruin someone or bring about their downfall.
"A single careless remark undid his entire campaign."
noun
1
A command or action that reverses the previous one, especially in software.
"Every good text editor supports undo."
How to use undo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo reverse something — put it back the way it was, unfasten it, or ruin it.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
undo a mistake
undo the damage
undo a button
press undo
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Word forms
- Plural
- undos
- Third person singular
- undoes
- Past tense
- undid, undone
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You can _____ your last edit with Ctrl+Z.
Etymology
From Old English ondōn, from a Germanic root meaning "to do the opposite of" — un- plus do.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for undo
See all rhymes for 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.
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