Illustration of dodo
- dodo 1a
plural dodoes or dodos
1
a
: an extinct heavy flightless bird (Raphus cucullatus synonym Didus ineptus of the family Columbidae) of the island of Mauritius that was larger than a turkey and was related to the pigeon
b
: an extinct flightless bird (Raphus solitarius) of the island of Réunion similar to and closely related to the dodo
2
a
: one hopelessly behind the times
b
: a stupid person
Examples of dodo in a Sentence
That dodo can't do anything right.
I feel like a complete dodo.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dust ruffles may have gone the way of the dodo after their heyday in the maximalist ’80s, but the absolute best bed skirts (done up in cottagecore ginghams and frothy sateens and linens) are putting the antiquated bed dressing back on the map.
—
Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 5 Mar. 2025
The riddle in question will take you, dear reader, all of three seconds to solve but necessitates a 30-minute brainstorm from our beloved dodos.
—Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024
The genetics researchers have also expressed keen interest in bringing back the thylacine and the dodo.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2025
The company's Avian Genomics Group is close to achieving primordial germ cells in pigeons, which would allow genetic testing of dodo characteristics in pigeons – similar to the mouse-mammoth experiments.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dodo
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Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 5 Mar. 2025
The riddle in question will take you, dear reader, all of three seconds to solve but necessitates a 30-minute brainstorm from our beloved dodos.
—Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024
The genetics researchers have also expressed keen interest in bringing back the thylacine and the dodo.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2025
The company's Avian Genomics Group is close to achieving primordial germ cells in pigeons, which would allow genetic testing of dodo characteristics in pigeons – similar to the mouse-mammoth experiments.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dodo
Cite this Entry
“Dodo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dodo. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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dodo
noun
do·do
ˈdōd-ō 
plural dodoes or dodos
1
: a large heavy flightless extinct bird related to the pigeons and formerly found on some of the islands of the Indian Ocean
2
a
: a person who is hopelessly behind the times
b
: a stupid person
Etymology
from Portuguese doudo, name given by Portuguese sailors to the bird, from doudo (adjective) "silly, stupid"
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