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 of ado

• 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

All that talk of matchup manipulation by the Nuggets was much ado about nothing. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026

Much ado has been made about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s surname. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026

The oblique mood title does little more to prepare us for the exact nature of the complications this particular family unit is facing, and they are laid out, starkly and without any further ado, in the opening moments. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2026

There’s been much ado about Elordi, 28, and Robbie, 35, playing Heathcliff and Catherine, who are seven-ish when the novel begins. —Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026

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