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

Whisk together stock, molasses, mustard, cornstarch, and remaining 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a liquid measuring cup. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026

As well as her most recognizable fish, a whole, butterflied white fish, beautifully charred on the grill and painted with both red adobo and a garlic-parsley rub. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026

The legs and thighs for the tinga are boiled in aged chicken stock, mixed with adobo and braised before being picked up on the plancha for service. —Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026

Taste and add more adobo sauce if desired. —C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 15 Mar. 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