to do

1 of 2

phrase

: necessary to be done

I've done my best and all's to do again.

—A. E. Housman

to-do

2 of 2

noun

tə-ˈdü 

plural to-dos tə-ˈdüz 

: bustle, stir, fuss

Synonyms of to do

Noun

• commotion
• hurry
• disturbance
• fuss
• stir
• clutter
• turmoil
• fun
• storm
• noise

Examples of to do in a Sentence

Noun

there was such a to-do when the mice got loose from the science room that I thought the principal was going to close the school

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

What the Rangers go on to do after the Mets leave town doesn’t matter to the visitors. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026

During pediatrics rotations, she was required to do home visits of patients. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Another shoe style expected to do well is the loafer, particularly as women want a stylish dress-up shoe for work. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

His character represents a hallowing of troop service without mention of what the troops are for or might be sent to do. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1576, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for to do

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

to-do

noun

tə-ˈdü

plural to-dos

-ˈdüz

: fuss entry 1, stir, commotion