duo

¹

[doo-oh, dyoo-oh]

noun

plural

duos 

1. Music.,  duet.

2. two persons commonly associated with each other; couple.

3. two animals or objects of the same sort; two things ordinarily placed or found together; a pair.

   a duo of lovebirds.

duo-

²

1. a combining form meaning “two,” used in the formation of compound words.

   duologue.

duo

¹

/ ˈdjuːəʊ /

noun

1. music

   1. a pair of performers

   2. another word for duet

2. a pair of actors, entertainers, etc

3. informal,  a pair of closely connected individuals

duo-

²

combining form

1. indicating two

   duotone

Word History and Origins

Origin of duo¹

1580–90; < Italian < Latin: two

Origin of duo²

Combining form of Greek dýo, Latin duo two

Word History and Origins

Origin of duo¹

C16: via Italian from Latin: two

Origin of duo²

from Latin

Example Sentences

The father and son duo grew Poundworld into a chain of more than 300 shops, before selling it in 2015 to an American investor.

Read more on BBC

Club Pulse, in the eastern town of Kocani, was packed with young Macedonians attending a concert by a popular hip-hop duo when sparks from pyrotechnic devices set fire to the ceiling.

Read more on BBC

At the height of their success, which included playing with Pearl Jam at Eddie Vedder’s request, the Sardinas became local celebrities, billed as the duo “Lightning & Thunder.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After being connected by mutual friends, the duo came up with the idea of an outdoor festival that could bring neighbors face to face again.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Ms. Lovette’s choreography presents her cast—mostly as solos and duos—in miscellaneous, acrobatic forays, sometimes tricked out with gestures suggesting aggression or irritation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• pair 

When To Use

What does duo- mean?

Duo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “two.” It is occasionally used in technical terms.Duo- comes from Greek dýo and Latin duo, both meaning “two.” In fact, English’s own word two is related to these roots! Learn more at our entry at two.