ado

noun

ə-ˈdü 

1

: heightened fuss or concern : to-do

much ado about the need for reform

2

: time-wasting bother over trivial details

wrote the paper without further ado

3

: trouble, difficulty

The journey itself is not described; our heroes disembark without ado at Philadelphia.

—Anthony Lane

Synonyms

• commotion
• fuss
• hurry
• stir
• disturbance
• turmoil

Examples of ado in a Sentence

a bride-to-be caught up in the usual prenuptial ado

Recent Examples on the Web

Much ado has been made about the importance of getting Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s aesthetic right in the forthcoming American Love Story, where Carolyn will be portrayed onscreen by Sarah Pidgeon. —Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025

Much ado has been made about a threequel, which is hotly anticipated by fans and the cast alike. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 16 June 2025

With much consideration and without any further ado, here are the results of our dill pickle taste test. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 17 May 2025

After much ado, Duchess Meghan's As Ever lifestyle brand has finally arrived. —Jay Stahl, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, reduced from the infinitive phrase at do, from at "to, at entry 1" + do, don "to do entry 1"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ado

• without further ado

Rhymes for ado

• accrue
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou
• breakthrough

Kids Definition

ado

noun

ə-ˈdü 

: fuss entry 1 sense 1, trouble

much ado about nothing