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

• fossil
• fogey
• 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

Genera that have gone extinct over the past 500 years included the dodo, (Raphus), sea cow (Hydrodamalis) and Cylindraspis, a group of recently extinct giant tortoises that lived on Mauritius and nearby islands. —Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025

The company is also working on reviving the woolly mammoth, dodo, and Tasmanian tiger. —Moná Thomas, People.com, 12 July 2025

In fact, on that album, Guyton often relies on the rarest dodo on all of Music Row: an all-women writers’ room. —Chris Willman, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025

And Colossal is also attempting to bring back the dodo, which went extinct more than 300 years ago. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 16 Apr. 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"