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
The dodo bird’s closest living relative is the Nicobar pigeon.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
The biotechnology and genetic engineering company had set its sights on reviving the woolly mammoth, the Tasmanian tiger, the northern white rhinoceros, the dodo bird, and the dire wolf—with the latter reportedly being brought back in October 2024.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Comments Whoopi Goldberg stands against the scientific resurrection of the woolly mammoth, the dodo bird, and the dire wolf.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for dodo
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Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
The biotechnology and genetic engineering company had set its sights on reviving the woolly mammoth, the Tasmanian tiger, the northern white rhinoceros, the dodo bird, and the dire wolf—with the latter reportedly being brought back in October 2024.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Comments Whoopi Goldberg stands against the scientific resurrection of the woolly mammoth, the dodo bird, and the dire wolf.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for dodo
Cite this Entry
“Dodo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dodo. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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