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

Add chipotle pepper and adobo sauce. —Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Nov. 2025

Slice up a plantain, flatten it with the tostonera press, and season it with Loisa’s flavorful organic sazón and perfectly spiced organic adobo for a feast. —Melissa Locker, Time, 17 Nov. 2025

Add the tomato paste, chiles in adobo, chili powder, cumin, oregano and paprika and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute. —Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025

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, 19 Oct. 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