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

Colossal is already working on artificial eggs that would be big enough for the dodo and moa embryos. — Rob Stein, NPR, 19 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 team will spend the next six months ensuring the chickens are healthy and can reproduce, before potentially using the eggs to birth dodos. — Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 19 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

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"