to-do

American  

[tuh-doo] / təˈdu /

noun

Informal.

plural

to-dos

1. bustle; fuss.

   They made a great to-do over the dinner.

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to-do British  

/ təˈduː /

noun

1. a commotion, fuss, or quarrel

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Related Words

See ado.

Etymology

Origin of to-do

before 900; Middle English, Old English; noun use of infinitive phrase; see to, do ¹, ado

Example Sentences

Barron’s in January drew up a to-do list for Disney’s new CEO, outlining four top priorities: accelerating streaming growth, pumping out more box-office hits, sorting out ESPN, and building on theme-park success.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

On Spero’s social media to-do list: a “slop hunter of the week leaderboard.”

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

A meticulous organizer—each evening she writes a to-do list of what she wants to accomplish the following day—she composed what she hoped would be a 10-year plan for herself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

There are some non-vacation-related items for your to-do list, as well: create power-of-attorney documents while your husband is of sound mind and has the legal capacity to sign off on them.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

When Campbell Junior was born, he did go see the baby and made a big to-do over it being a boy, which really pleased Aunt Loma.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns