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do

1 syllable · also did, done
Quick answer

As a verb, do means a syntactic marker. As a noun, it means a party, celebration, social function.

Meanings of do

46 meanings

verb

  1. auxiliaryA syntactic marker.

  2. auxiliaryA syntactic marker in a question whose main verb is not another auxiliary verb or be.

    “Do you go there often?”

  3. auxiliaryA syntactic marker in negations with the indicative and imperative moods.

    “I do not go there often.”

    “Do not listen to him.”

  4. auxiliaryA syntactic marker for emphasis with the indicative, imperative, and subjunctive moods.

    “But I do go sometimes.”

  5. pro-verbA syntactic marker that refers back to an earlier verb and allows the speaker to avoid repeating the verb; in most dialects, not used with auxiliaries such as be, though it can be in AAVE.

    “I play tennis; she does too.”

    “(nonstandard) They don't think it be like it is, but it do.”

  6. To perform; to execute.

    “All you ever do is surf the Internet. What will you do this afternoon?”

  7. To suffice.

    “it’s not the best broom, but it will have to do; this will do me, thanks.”

  8. To be reasonable or acceptable.

    “It simply will not do to have dozens of children running around such a quiet event.”

  9. ditransitiveTo have (as an effect).

    “The fresh air did him some good.”

  10. To fare, perform (well or poorly).

    “Our relationship isn't doing very well; how do you do?”

  11. especially englandTo fare well; to thrive; to prosper; (of livestock) to fatten.

  12. chiefly in questionsTo have as one's job.

    “What does Bob do? — He's a plumber.”

  13. To perform the tasks or actions associated with (something).

    “"Don't forget to do your report" means something quite different depending on whether you're a student or a programmer.”

  14. To cook.

    “I'll just do some eggs.”

Older and rare meanings (2)
  1. obsoleteTo cause, make (someone) (do something).

  2. obsoleteTo act or behave in a certain manner; to conduct oneself.

noun

  1. UKinformalA party, celebration, social function; usually of moderate size and formality.

    “We’re having a bit of a do on Saturday to celebrate my birthday.”

  2. chiefly fossilizedSomething that can or should be done.

    “Don't forget the dos and don'ts.”

  3. chiefly obsoletefossilized in the ukSomething that has been done.

    “"How come you quit?" "I'm moving to London." "Fair dos."”

  4. UKslangA homicide.

  5. musicA syllable used in solfège to represent the first and eighth tonic of a major scale.

  6. Doctor's degree in osteopathy

    Similar: Doctor of Osteopathy
Older and rare meanings (3)
  1. archaicAdo; bustle; stir; to-do; A period of confusion or argument.

  2. obsoleteUKslangA cheat; a swindler.

  3. obsoleteUKslangAn act of swindling; a fraud or deception.

Clipping of hairdo.

adverb

Abbreviation of ditto.

n-1

  1. An uproarious party

    Similar: bash, brawl

n-2

  1. The syllable naming the first (tonic) note of any major scale in solmization

    Similar: doh, ut

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).

do around the world

UKA party, celebration, social function; usually of moderate size and formality.
UKA homicide.
UKA cheat; a swindler.
UKAn act of swindling; a fraud or deception.

Synonyms by meaning

All synonyms for do →
noun: doctor's degree in osteopathy
Doctor of Osteopathy
n-1: an uproarious party
n-2: the syllable naming the first (tonic) note of any major s…
verb: engage in
verb: carry out or perform an action
verb: get (something) done

Words that rhyme with do

All rhymes →

For word games

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o1
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