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

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

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

“I’m at a place,” he said, “where it’s just like, how high does this go on my to-do list?”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Here’s a to-do list for you and your siblings: Speak with the rehab facility’s social worker as soon as possible.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026

She wore a yellow knit beanie, gold hoop earrings and the relieved grin of a woman who has finally checked a mammogram off her to-do list.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

In a few hours now the people she had invited would start coming and the to-do would begin.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers