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
• stir
• fuss
• 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

The only players to do it faster were Lionel Messi (64), Sebastian Giovinco (95), Robbie Keane (96), and Carlos Vela (98). — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026

Zachary Robert Stacer, 22, was arrested on July 30 and charged with two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, three counts of felonious assault and five counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer. — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Speaking to the press on Friday, Maíllo accused Moroccan authorities of failing to do their job to prevent migrants crossing from their side of the border. — Miguel MacIas, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026

Shareholders now need to see what those directors are prepared to do. — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 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