to-do
Americannoun
-
to-dos
plural
noun
Synonym Usage
See ado.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of to-do
before 900; Middle English, Old English; noun use of infinitive phrase; see to, do 1, ado
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
You're finally about to head off on a well-earned break, but there's one more task to tick off your to-do list: composing an out-of-office reply.
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026
It still worked through a to-do list that included everything from menu changes to reining in corporate expenses.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
Its listing certainly paints an impressive picture about the home’s many offerings, making quite the to-do about its “breathtaking views,” “lush tropical landscaping,” and “opulent” decor.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026
City players are scheduled to report for pre-season on 20 July, with those taking part in the World Cup given extra time off, but what is on Maresca's immediate to-do list once he gets started?
From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026
Here I was laid up with a bad hog cut, hurting so bad I could hardly get my breath, and her expecting me to make a big to-do over a little old puny speckled pup.
From "Old Yeller" by Fred Gipson
Jumping straight into a list of major to-dos would leave little time for ideas to germinate.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 8, 2026
There are certain to-dos to check off your list when moving to any new city: collect free boxes, book a moving van, change your address at the post office.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 4, 2023
Image: Apple I use two apps to keep track of my to-dos: Apple’s Reminders app for personal tasks and TickTick for work tasks.
From The Verge ● Aug. 3, 2022
General manager Rob Blake has a list of to-dos this offseason to make the Kings serious contenders this upcoming season.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2022
When they had big to-dos old master sent mama over there.
From Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Arkansas Narratives, Part 5 by Work Projects Administration
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
