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 to do nearby The Baths of Diocletian and the ancient Roman Servian Wall are right by the hotel. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026

For donors who want to leave a legacy and save on taxes, naming a charity to receive their retirement account upon their death is one of the simplest ways to do so. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

The one disappointment of the superb ensemble is that Sinners standout Wunmi Mosaku is given too little to do as a supportive friend to Karen, who takes her in when she’s forced to flee from Kenneth. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026

This is a thing that regular researchers who are in the trenches with the tech want to do. — Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 17 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