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

That’s tough to do against a good-hitting team, especially in a big part of their order, middle part of their order. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026

And these three solid-gold brands have figured out exactly how to do it. — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Apple recommends swapping them out about once a year, but frequent travelers may want to do so more often. — Annita Katee, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2026

Arsenal want to do that in a range of ways — in personnel, stylistic development, and by coaxing more from their current group. — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 22 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