ado

noun

ə-ˈdü 

1

: heightened fuss or concern : to-do

much ado about the need for reform

2

: time-wasting bother over trivial details

wrote the paper without further ado

3

: trouble, difficulty

The journey itself is not described; our heroes disembark without ado at Philadelphia.

—Anthony Lane

Synonyms of ado

• commotion
• fuss
• hurry
• stir
• disturbance
• turmoil

Examples of ado in a Sentence

a bride-to-be caught up in the usual prenuptial ado

Recent Examples on the Web

Much ado has been made about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor relocating from his 30-room mansion Royal Lodge to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk—but according to a new report, that might not necessarily happen after all. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026

With much consideration and without any further ado, here are the results of our dill pickle taste test. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026

So, without any further ado, here's our analog-bike Top 10 for 2025! —New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025

Without further ado, our favorite Quince home essentials. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 22 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, reduced from the infinitive phrase at do, from at "to, at entry 1" + do, don "to do entry 1"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ado

• without further ado

Rhymes for ado

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

Kids Definition

ado

noun

ə-ˈdü 

: fuss entry 1 sense 1, trouble

much ado about nothing