dodo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2informal
Quick answer
What does “dodo” mean?
A large, flightless bird that was native to Mauritius and is now extinct.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, flightless bird that was native to Mauritius and is now extinct.
A person or thing that is hopelessly outdated or obsolete.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between UK and US English.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties: extinction, obsolescence, foolishness, or a lack of modern awareness.
Frequency
Slightly more common in informal or journalistic contexts than in formal writing, with similar frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “dodo” in a Sentence
[be] a dodo[go/vanish] the way of the dodo[consider/view] someone/something as a dodoVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dodo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not standard; extremely rare/non-existent)
American English
- (Not standard; extremely rare/non-existent)
adverb
British English
- (Not used)
American English
- (Not used)
adjective
British English
- (Rare, informal) 'He has some dodo ideas about management.'
American English
- (Rare, informal) 'That's a dodo policy from the last century.'
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe outdated business models or practices. Example: 'Their fax-based ordering system is a complete dodo.'
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing; may appear in historical or biological texts about extinction, or in informal critiques of theories.
Everyday
Common in informal speech to mock something outdated. Example: 'You still use a flip phone? That's a bit of a dodo.'
Technical
Primarily used in biology/zoology to refer to Raphus cucullatus. The metaphorical use is informal and not technical.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dodo”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dodo”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dodo”
- Misspelling as 'dodoo' or 'dodoe'.
- Using it in overly formal contexts where 'obsolete' or 'anachronistic' would be more appropriate.
- Confusing it with other extinct birds like the moa.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. Its use as an adjective ('dodo ideas') is very informal and rare. It is not used as a verb or adverb.
It means completely and irreversibly dead, extinct, or obsolete. It emphasizes total absence of life or function.
Almost never. It carries a negative connotation of uselessness, obsolescence, or foolishness. In rare, affectionate contexts, it might describe a charmingly old-fashioned person.
The dodo (Raphus cucullatus) went extinct in the late 17th century due to human activity (hunting and introduced species). Its rapid extinction and unusual appearance made it a powerful and early icon of human-caused species loss.
A large, flightless bird that was native to Mauritius and is now extinct.
Dodo is usually informal in register.
Dodo: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdəʊ.dəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdoʊ.doʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “dead as a dodo”
- “go the way of the dodo”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DOn't DO that anymore' – the DODO is extinct, so don't use outdated things.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBSOLESCENCE IS EXTINCTION / FOOLISHNESS IS BEING A FLIGHTLESS BIRD
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary metaphorical meaning of 'dodo' when describing a person?