to do

1 of 2

phrase

Synonyms of to donext
: 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 How to pronounce to-do (audio)
plural to-dos tə-ˈdüz How to pronounce to-do (audio)
: bustle, stir, fuss

Synonyms of to do

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Noun

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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
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Phrase
And what better way to do that than by storming a Walmart in Texas and partying until the boys in blue arrive on scene? — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 Caminero also will be the 14th player to start back-to-back All-Star games in his age 22 (or younger) season, and the first to do so at third base. — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2026 Debate emerged about what to do with a place of such historical and cultural significance, but one that nonetheless will always be susceptible to the Mississippi. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 In truth, Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper didn’t have much to do in the first half, testament to the intensity and organisation of his team’s 4-5-1 defensive shape. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for to do

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1576, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of to do was circa 1576

Rhymes for to do

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Browse Nearby Words

todlowrie
to do
to-do
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“To do.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/to%20do. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

to-do

noun
tə-ˈdü
plural to-dos
-ˈdüz
: fuss entry 1, stir, commotion

More from Merriam-Webster on to do

Nglish: Translation of to do for Spanish Speakers

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