verb

do

duh

verb

To perform or carry out an action or task.

"I need to do my homework before dinner."

"She does everything with real care."

Used as a helping verb to form questions and negatives, or for emphasis.

"Do you like coffee?"

"I did lock the door — I checked twice."

To be sufficient or acceptable.

"A quick sandwich will do for lunch."

To fare or get on in a particular way.

"How is your new business doing?"

noun

A social event or party (informal, chiefly British).

"There's a big do at the office on Friday."

How to Use Do

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOne of the most common verbs in English — used both as a main verb meaning "perform" and as a helper verb in questions, negatives, and emphasis.

Common mistake

Don't confuse "do" (perform, general actions) with "make" (create something new) — you "do the dishes" but "make dinner."

Common pairings

do homework do a favor do business make do

Word Forms

did past tense, done past tense, do plural, did plural, dos plural, does singular, do singular, did singular, doest singular, dost singular, didst singular, doeth singular, doth singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

I need to _____ my homework before dinner.

Etymology

From Old English dōn, a very old Germanic verb going back to a root meaning "to put" or "to place."

Antonyms

don't

Rhymes for do

ado Edo Ido udo Odo dodo redo undo judo lido kudo dado

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