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 hotel sits in a prime position between the sleek towers of the Porta Nuova neighborhood and the city’s historic center. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026

Trump has long lobbied to receive the award and continued to do so this week. — Christopher Tremoglie, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026

But in order to do this, volunteers first have to remove any embellishments and fastenings, including buttons, which are recirculated in the store. — Bella Webb, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026

Problem 102 claims to do just that, proving that the unique games problem is hard. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 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