dodo

noun

do·​do ˈdō-(ˌ)dō 

plural dodoes or dodos

1

a

: an extinct heavy flightless bird (Raphus cucullatus synonym Didus ineptus of the family Columbidae) of the island of Mauritius that was larger than a turkey and was related to the pigeon

b

: an extinct flightless bird (Raphus solitarius) of the island of Réunion similar to and closely related to the dodo

2

a

: one hopelessly behind the times

b

: a stupid person

Illustration of dodo

• dodo 1a

Synonyms

• antediluvian
• Colonel Blimp
• fogy
• fogey
• fossil
• fud
• fuddy-duddy
• mossback
• reactionary
• stick-in-the-mud
• stuffed shirt

Examples of dodo in a Sentence

That dodo can't do anything right.

I feel like a complete dodo.

Recent Examples on the Web

The dodo, of the island of Mauritius, is a textbook example. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025

Keyte added that her team was still a long way from bringing back the dodo. —D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025

Colossal previously announced efforts to revive other extinct species like the woolly mammoth, the dodo, and the thylacine, but the dire wolf's return is the first successful mammalian de-extinction of its kind. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

Then, out of nowhere, the bird grows a new bone, sprouts fresh feathers — and is apparently not dead as a dodo after all. —Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese doudo, from doudo silly, stupid

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing dodo

• (as) dead as a dodo

Rhymes for dodo

• bodo
• quomodo

Kids Definition

dodo

noun

do·​do ˈdōd-ō 

plural dodoes or dodos

1

: a large heavy flightless extinct bird related to the pigeons and formerly found on some of the islands of the Indian Ocean

2

a

: a person who is hopelessly behind the times

b

: a stupid person

Etymology

from Portuguese doudo, name given by Portuguese sailors to the bird, from doudo (adjective) "silly, stupid"