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 of dodo

• fossil
• conservative
• veteran
• fogy
• mossback

Examples of dodo in a Sentence

That dodo can't do anything right.

I feel like a complete dodo.

Recent Examples on the Web

Colossal Biosciences previously gained notoriety for its deextinction efforts, like trying to bring back the dire wolf, dodo and wooly mammoth. — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 2 Nov. 2026

The days of cookie-cutter lounges have gone the way of the dodo. — Liam Scott, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026

The company has pursued efforts to recreate extinct species, including the dodo and woolly mammoth. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

The PGCs will then be rewritten to add dodo traits, in the same way the gray wolf was edited. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 Oct. 2026

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"