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

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

Joey Junior is a burrito with the customer’s choice of protein (brisket, barbacoa, pollo asado, chili crisp chicken, steak, white meat chicken, adobo chicken, ground beef or tofu), rice, beans, shredded cheese and pico de gallo. —Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025

Elvi's Kitchen is now a favorite with locals and tourists alike for dishes like fresh fish in a Mayan adobo sauce and even unique vegan and vegetarian dishes like coconut ceviche and curry. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2025

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