adobo

noun

ado·​bo ə-ˈdō-bō  ä-ˈt͟hō-bō 

plural adobos

1

: a Philippine dish of fish or meat usually marinated in a sauce containing vinegar and garlic, browned in fat, and simmered in the marinade

2

: a spicy marinade used in Latin American cuisine and usually containing vinegar, garlic, and chili peppers

chipotles in adobo

3

: a seasoning mixture that typically includes ground dried garlic, ground dried onion, oregano, salt, and pepper

Examples of adobo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The food truck officially launched in 2021 and serves Filipino-style egg rolls, along with dishes such as chicken adobo and pancit, or Filipino-style noodles. —Usa Today Network, USA Today, 19 June 2026

Using shredded rotisserie chicken makes this meal a cinch while chipotle pepper in adobo gives the meat plenty of flavor. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 June 2026

The chain highlighted the high-protein level in each of players' meals, with Hart’s burrito featuring double adobo chicken boasting 95 grams of protein and Bridges’ double adobo chicken bowl having 71 grams of protein. —Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026

Add the adobo, sazón, oregano and bay leaves. —Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 22 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Spanish, "marinade," noun derivative of adobar "to arrange, prepare, cook, marinate," borrowed from Old French adober "to arm (a knight), prepare," from a- (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + -dober, borrowed from Old Low Franconian *dubban "to strike"; akin to Old Frisian dubba "to hit, knock" — more at dub entry 1

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for adobo

• bobo
• hobo
• lobo
• oboe