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

This chicken dish can be cooked in any multicooker (Instant Pot or slow-cooker) and delivers extra juicy meat and a real kick thanks to the jarred salsa, honey, and chipotle chiles in adobo sauce. —Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 28 Jan. 2026

Many of the fastest-growing international foods in the United States rely heavily on acidity, from Filipino adobo and Thai soups to Korean kimchi and Mexican ceviche. —Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026

The protein-forward menu also includes a High Protein-Low Calorie Salad with adobo chicken, supergreens lettuce mix, fajita veggies, fresh tomato salsa and guac. —Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025

Distribute the chipotles in adobo into the wells of an ice cube tray. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025

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