SINCE 1828
do
verb
\ ˈdü
\
\
did\ ˈdid
, dəd \;
done\ ˈdən
\;
doing\ ˈdü-iŋ
\;
does\ ˈdəz
\
, dəd \;
done\ ˈdən
\;
doing\ ˈdü-iŋ
\;
does\ ˈdəz
\
Definition of do
(Entry 1 of 5)
1
: to bring to pass : carry out
do another's wishes it is my earnest desire to know the will of Providence … and if I can learn what it is I will do it— Abraham Lincoln
2
: put
—used chiefly in do to death had been hounded down and done to death as heretics— Stringfellow Barr
4a
: bring about, effect
trying to do good do violence
b
: to give freely : pay
do honor to her memory
5
: to bring to an end : finish
—used in the past participle the job is finally done
6
: to put forth : exert
did her best to win the race
7a
: to wear out especially by physical exertion : exhaust
at the end of the race they were pretty well done
8
: to bring into existence : produce
do a biography on the general has done some beautiful landscapes
9
—used as a substitute verb especially to avoid repetition if you must make such a racket, do it somewhere else
10a
: to play the role or character of
He did Hamlet on Broadway.
c
: to perform in or serve as producer of
do a play
d
: to apply cosmetics to
wanted to do her face before the party
13
: to be engaged in the study or practice of
do science
especially
: to work at as a vocation
what to do after college
14a
: to pass over : traverse
did 20 miles yesterday
b
: to travel at a speed of
doing 55 on the turnpike
15
: tour
doing 12 countries in 30 days
16a
: to spend (time) in prison
has been doing time in a federal penitentiary
b
: to serve out (a period of imprisonment)
did ten years for armed robbery
18
: to approve especially by custom, opinion, or propriety
you oughtn't to say a thing like that … it's not done— Dorothy Sayers
19
: to treat with respect to physical comforts
did themselves well
20
: use sense 3
doesn't do drugs
21
: to have sexual intercourse with
I'd do him.
22
: to partake of
Let's do lunch.
b
: to carry on business or affairs : manage
we can do without your help
3
: to take place : happen
what's doing across the street
4
: to come to or make an end : finish
—used in the past participle he had done with speech for that evening and gave us no reply— Arnold Bennett
5
: to be active or busy
let us then be up and doing— H. W. Longfellow
6
: to be adequate or sufficient : serve
half of that will do
7
: to be fitting : conform to custom or propriety
won't do to be late
8
—used as a substitute verb to avoid repetition wanted to run and play as children do —used especially in British English following a modal auxiliary or perfective have a great many people had died, or would do— Bruce Chatwin
9
—used in the imperative after an imperative to add emphasis be quiet do
1a
—used with the infinitive without to to form present and past tenses in legal and parliamentary language do hereby bequeath and in poetry give what she did crave— Shakespeare
b
—used with the infinitive without to to form present and past tenses in declarative sentences with inverted word order fervently do we pray— Abraham Lincoln , in interrogative sentences did you hear that? , and in negative sentences we don't knowdon't go
2
—used with the infinitive without to to form present and past tenses expressing emphasis I do saydo be careful
do a number on
do away with
do by
do for
do it
do justice
do proud
do the trick
do with
to do
: to defeat or confound thoroughly especially by indirect or deceptive means
The scandal did a number on his career.
1
: to put an end to : abolish
chose to do away with a number of positions doing away with formalities
2
: to put to death : kill
: to deal with : treat
They did pretty well by me when I retired.
chiefly British
1
: to attend to the wants and needs of : take care of
2
: to bring about the death or ruin of
He will be done for.
: to have sexual intercourse
1a
: to act justly
b
: to treat fairly or adequately
The portrait doesn't do justice to her beauty.
c
: to show due appreciation for
2
: to acquit in a way worthy of one's abilities
: to give cause for pride or gratification
she did herself proud
: to produce a desired result
: to make good use of : benefit by
could do with a cup of coffee
: necessary to be done
I've done my best and all's to do again— A. E. Housman
do
noun (1)
\ ˈdü
\
\
plural dos
or do's\ ˈdüz
\
\
Definition of do (Entry 2 of 5)
do
noun (2)
\ ˈdō
\
\
Definition of do (Entry 3 of 5)
music
: the first tone of the major scale in solfège
do
abbreviation (1)Definition of do (Entry 4 of 5)
1
ditto
2
double occupancy
DO
abbreviation (2)Definition of DO (Entry 5 of 5)
1
defense order
2
doctor of osteopathic medicine; doctor of osteopathy
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Other Words from do
Verb
doable
\ ˈdü-ə-bəl
\
adjective
\
adjective
Synonyms for do
Synonyms: Verb
befit, beseem [archaic], fit [archaic], go, serve, suit
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Examples of do in a Sentence
Verb
We should do something special to celebrate your birthday. This crime was done deliberately. I have to do some chores this afternoon. Tell me what to do and I'll do it. I'm obliged to do my duty. He does his work without complaining. He did a lot for us. What have I done to you to make you so angry? “What are you doing this weekend?” “I'm just relaxing at home.” What is the stock market doing now: rising or falling?
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Learn More about do
From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
Is It 'Feasible' or Is It 'Doable'?
Is It 'Feasible' or Is It 'Doable'?
Two words separated by a common meaning
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More Definitions for do
do
verb
\ dü
\
\
did\ did \;
done\ ˈdən \;
doing\ ˈdü-iŋ \;
does\ ˈdəz \
Kids Definition of do
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: to cause (as an act or action) to happen : perform
Tell me what to do. Do me a favor.
2
: act entry 2 sense 2, behave
Do as I say, not as I do.
3
: to make progress : succeed
He is doing well in school.
4
: to finish working on
—used in the past participle My project is almost done.
5
: to put forth : exert
Just do your best.
6
: to work on, prepare, produce, or put in order
Do your homework. This artist does beautiful landscapes.
7
: to work at as a paying job
What does she do for a living?
8
: to serve the purpose : suit
This will do very well.
9
: to have an effect
A vacation would do you some good.
10
: to travel at a speed of
doing 50 miles per hour
11
—used as a helping verb (1) before the subject in a question Do you work? , (2) in a negative statement I do not know. , (3) for emphasis I think you do know. , and (4) as a substitute for a predicate that has already been stated You work harder than I do.
do away with
1
: to get rid of
do
noun
\ ˈdō
\
\
Kids Definition of do (Entry 2 of 2)
: the first note of the musical scale
DO
abbreviationMedical Definition of DO
1
doctor of optometry
2
doctor of osteopathic medicine; doctor of osteopathy
do
verb
did;
done;
doing;
does
Legal Definition of do
—used with the infinitive without to to form present and past tenses in legal and parliamentary language
do hereby bequeath
do business
: to be engaged in business activities (as soliciting sales)
specifically
: to engage in activities sufficient to subject a foreign company to the personal jurisdiction of a state
was sufficient to constitute doing business in the state — International Shoe Co. v. Washington, 326 U.S. 310 (1945)
— see also doing business statute
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