Illustration of dodo
- dodo 1a
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
Synonyms of dodo
Examples of dodo in a Sentence
That dodo can't do anything right.
I feel like a complete dodo.
Recent Examples on the Web
Since announcing its project to bring back the woolly mammoth in 2021, Colossal Biosciences has announced plans to de-extinct two birds, the dodo and the moa, the Australian thylacine or Tasmanian tiger and the dire wolf.
—
Mike Snider, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Scientists at Colossal have cultivated primordial germ cells — early precursors to sperm and egg cells — from the pigeon, the dodo’s closest living relative.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
The Dodo and Other Projects in the Pipeline The dodo, a flightless bird driven to extinction by human activity roughly 400 years ago, is one of Colossal’s active projects.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
The idea of an actual vault that holds your money safely is gone with the dodo birds.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dodo
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Mike Snider, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Scientists at Colossal have cultivated primordial germ cells — early precursors to sperm and egg cells — from the pigeon, the dodo’s closest living relative.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
The Dodo and Other Projects in the Pipeline The dodo, a flightless bird driven to extinction by human activity roughly 400 years ago, is one of Colossal’s active projects.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
The idea of an actual vault that holds your money safely is gone with the dodo birds.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dodo
Cite this Entry
“Dodo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dodo. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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"
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