dodo

noun

do·​do ˈdō-(ˌ)dō 

plural dodoes or dodos

1

a

: an extinct heavy flightless bird (Raphus cucullatus synonym Didus ineptus of the family Columbidae) of the island of Mauritius that was larger than a turkey and was related to the pigeon

b

: an extinct flightless bird (Raphus solitarius) of the island of Réunion similar to and closely related to the dodo

2

a

: one hopelessly behind the times

b

: a stupid person

Illustration of dodo

• dodo 1a

Synonyms of dodo

• fossil
• conservative
• veteran
• fogy
• mossback

Examples of dodo in a Sentence

That dodo can't do anything right.

I feel like a complete dodo.

Recent Examples on the Web

Other words in Parikh's winning round included fais-dodo, cywyddau, pohutukawa, émeute, natchitoches, and taurokathapsia, per the video on Facebook. — Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026

The company now hopes to use the technology to bring back extinct birds, including the dodo and the giant moa. — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 28 May 2026

The process has yet to be peer reviewed, but the company is pitching the technology as a step toward one of the company’s goals of resurrecting extinct dodo and moa birds. — Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 20 May 2026

Lamm told The New York Post that the company believes the moa could return by the early 2030s, while the dodo could be revived within four or five years. — Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese doudo, from doudo silly, stupid

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing dodo

• (as) dead as a dodo

Rhymes for dodo

• bodo
• quomodo

Kids Definition

dodo

noun

do·​do ˈdōd-ō 

plural dodoes or dodos

1

: a large heavy flightless extinct bird related to the pigeons and formerly found on some of the islands of the Indian Ocean

2

a

: a person who is hopelessly behind the times

b

: a stupid person

Etymology

from Portuguese doudo, name given by Portuguese sailors to the bird, from doudo (adjective) "silly, stupid"