1 do
/ˈduː/
verb
does
/ˈdʌz/ ;
did
/ˈdɪd/ ;
done
/ˈdʌn/ ;
doing
/ˈduːwɪŋ/
1 do
/ˈduː/
verb
does
/ˈdʌz/ ;
did
/ˈdɪd/ ;
done
/ˈdʌn/ ;
doing
/ˈduːwɪŋ/
Britannica Dictionary definition of DO
1
a
:
to perform (an action or activity)
[+ object]
-
We should do something special to celebrate your birthday.
-
This crime was done deliberately.
-
I have to do some chores this afternoon.
-
Tell me what to do and I'll do it.
-
I'm obliged to do my duty.
-
He does his work without complaining.
-
I do the ironing on Wednesdays and the cooking on Thursdays. [=I iron on Wednesdays and cook on Thursdays]
-
I did a favor for him. = I did him a favor.
-
“What do you do with this lever? = What does this lever do?” “It operates the pump.”
-
He did a lot for us.
-
What can I do to help you? = What can I do for you? [=how can/may I help you?]
-
What have I done to you to make you so angry?
-
Have you done something to/with this room? [=have you changed this room in some way?] It looks different.
-
My knee is sore. I must have done something to it [=I must have hurt it] when I fell.
-
Don't just stand there: do something! [=take some sort of action to stop what is happening]
-
We need to do something about this problem. [=we need to take some action to correct this problem]
-
All we can do is hope for the best. [=there is no other action we can take except to hope for the best]
-
I didn't do it! = I didn't do anything! [=I didn't do what you said I did]
-
Are you doing anything right now? [=are you busy right now?]
-
If you're not doing anything this evening [=if you're not busy this evening], why not come over for dinner?
-
“What are you doing this weekend?” “I'm just relaxing at home.”
-
What is the stock market doing now: rising or falling?
-
What have I done with my keys? [=where did I put my keys?]
-
My hair is a mess. I can't do anything with it.
-
There's nothing to do in this town on a Saturday night!
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[no object]
-
Do as I say, not as I do. [=do the things that I say you should do, not the things that I do myself]
-
Shut up and do as you're told! [=do what I tell you to do]
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b
[+ object]
— used with what to ask or talk about a person's job
-
“What does your husband do?” “He's a writer.”
-
She's a lawyer. I'm not sure what her husband does.
-
What does she do for a living? [=what is her job?]
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2
[+ object]
:
to finish working on (something)
-
His mother won't let him watch television until he has done his homework.
-
I've only done three of the walls so far—I'll paint the last one tomorrow.
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— compare 2done 1
3
[no object]
— used to describe the success or progress of someone or something
-
“How is she doing in school?” “She did badly/poorly at first, but now she's doing much better.”
-
She does well in math but badly in history.
-
The company is doing well.
-
How is the stock market doing these days?
-
He started out poor, worked hard, did very well (for himself) in business [=was very successful in business], and died rich.
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◊ How are you doing? or (very informally) How you doing? is used as a greeting. “Hi, Dave. How are you doing?” “I'm fine, thanks. How are you?” [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
4
[+ object]
— used to describe the effect that something has
-
You've been working too hard. A few days off will do you (some) good. [=a few days off will be good for you]
-
We didn't mean to do him (any) harm. [=to harm him]
-
Criticism can do people a lot of harm/damage; praise can do people a lot of good.
-
The new design doesn't do much for me. [=I don't like the new design very much]
-
That hat does nothing for you. [=that hat does not look good on you]
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5
— used to describe the amount of effort someone makes
[+ object]
-
She did nothing to help us. [=she did not try to help us at all]
-
I did my best. = I did my utmost. = I did all that I could. = I did everything I could.
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[no object]
-
I did as well as I could.
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6
[+ object]
a
:
to create or produce (something)
-
a writer who is doing a new biography on Abraham Lincoln
-
a painter who has done some beautiful landscapes
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b
:
to perform in or be the producer or director of (a movie, play, etc.)
-
an actress who has done several hit movies
-
a director who is doing a play on Broadway
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7
[+ object]
a
:
to play (a role or character)
-
an actor who did Hamlet on Broadway
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b
:
to pretend to be (someone, such as a famous person)
:
to copy the speech and appearance of (someone)
-
a comedian who does a great George Bush [=a comedian who does a very good and entertaining imitation of George Bush]
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c
informal
:
to behave like (someone)
-
I wish he'd do a Houdini and disappear. [=I wish he'd go away]
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8
[+ object]
a
:
to wash or clean (something)
-
It's your turn to do [=wash] the laundry.
-
The woman we hired to clean our house doesn't do windows.
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b
:
to decorate (a place)
-
They did the bedroom in blue and the living room in green.
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— see also do over 2 (below)
c
:
to make (someone's face, hair, etc.) more attractive by putting on makeup, etc.
-
She wanted to do her face before the party.
-
She had her hair done [=styled] at the beauty parlor.
-
She was doing her fingernails/nails.
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d
:
to put on (makeup)
-
It took her a few minutes to do her makeup.
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9
[+ object]
:
to cook or prepare (food)
-
I like my steak done rare.
-
I'll do the salad while you do the pasta.
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— compare 2done 2
10
[+ object]
:
to make or sell (a product)
-
This is the company's most popular computer, but they also do a less expensive model.
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11
[+ object]
chiefly US, informal
:
to participate in (an activity) with other people
-
We should do dinner some time. [=we should have dinner together some time]
-
do a meeting [=have a meeting]
-
We should do a movie [=go to a movie] this weekend.
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— see also do lunch at 1lunch
12
[+ object]
:
to go to (a place) when traveling
-
a group of tourists who are doing [=visiting] 12 countries in 30 days
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13
[+ object]
a
:
to move or travel (a distance)
-
We did [=traveled] 500 miles yesterday.
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b
:
to move at (a speed)
-
They were doing [=going, driving] 85 on the turnpike.
-
That plane can do [=go] 1,400 mph!
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14
[+ object]
:
to be in a place for (a period of time)
-
He did [=spent] two years in college before he dropped out.
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especially
:
to be in a prison for (a period of time)
-
He did [=served] five years (in prison) for robbery.
-
He has been doing time in a federal penitentiary.
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— sometimes used figuratively
-
I've done my time at that terrible job, and now it's time to move on.
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15
a
:
to be enough
:
to be adequate
[no object]
-
I don't need any more cake, thank you. One piece will do. [=one piece is enough]
-
I'd prefer to use glue, but tape will/would do.
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[+ object]
-
(informal) One piece of cake will do me. [=one piece of cake is enough for me]
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b
◊ Phrases like that will do (it) and that should do (it) are used in informal speech to tell someone that you do not want or need anything more. “Would you like anything else?” “No, that'll do it.” = “No, that should do it.” [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
◊ That will do it and that should do it are also used to say that you have finished doing something or are about to finish doing something. I just have one more letter to sign and that should do it. [=and then I'll be finished] [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
◊ That will do is also sometimes used to tell someone (such as a child) to stop doing or saying something that is bothering you or making you angry. That will do [=that's enough], young man: one more word out of you and you're grounded! [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
c
◊ The phrase that does it is used to say that you have finished doing something. I just need to sign one more letter…There, that does it. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
◊ That does it is also used in angry speech to say that you will not accept or allow something anymore. “They say we'll have to wait another hour.” “That does it! We're leaving right now!” [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
16
[no object]
:
to be proper
— used in negative statements
-
It doesn't do for a doctor to become too friendly with his patients. = It won't/wouldn't do for a doctor to become too friendly with his patients. [=a doctor should not become too friendly with his patients]
-
Such behavior will never do! [=such behavior should not be allowed]
-
We should leave soon. It won't do to be late.
-
This is a formal occasion, so jeans simply won't do. [=jeans are not appropriate]
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◊ In U.S. English, this sense of do has a somewhat formal or old-fashioned quality.
— compare 2done 3
17
[+ object]
informal
:
to use (illegal drugs)
-
He says that he doesn't do drugs anymore.
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18
[no object]
informal
a
:
to happen
-
Is there anything doing tomorrow?
-
There is nothing doing around here.
-
Let's find out what's doing downtown.
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b
◊ People ask what is something/someone doing…? when they are surprised or upset about where someone or something is. What are all my clothes doing (lying/scattered) on the floor? [=why are all my clothes on the floor?] What were you doing (standing) outside in the rain? [=why were you outside in the rain?] [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
◊ People ask what is someone doing with (something)? when they are surprised or upset because someone has something. What are you doing with my notebook? = What do you think you're doing with my notebook? [=why do you have my notebook?] [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
19
[+ object]
informal + offensive
:
to have sex with (someone)
be to do with
— see have to do with (below)
do a number on
— see 1number
do away with
[phrasal verb]
1
do away with (someone)
:
to kill (someone)
-
She's accused of hiring a hit man to do away with [=murder, do in] her husband.
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2
do away with (something)
:
to cause the end of (something)
:
to get rid of (something)
-
The struggling company had to do away with a number of jobs.
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do battle
— see 1battle
do by
[phrasal verb]
do by (someone)
:
to deal with or treat (someone) well or badly
-
She feels that they did poorly/badly by her. [=that they treated her poorly/badly]
-
They did pretty well by me when I retired. [=they treated me pretty well when I retired]
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— see also hard done by at 2hard
do down
[phrasal verb]
do (someone) down
British, informal
:
to talk about (someone) in an insulting or critical way
-
She thinks that if she does everybody else down, people will think more highly of her.
-
Stop doing yourself down: you've got a lot to offer!
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do for
[phrasal verb]
1
do for (someone)
British, informal
:
to cause the death or ruin of (someone)
-
All that hard work nearly did for him. [=nearly killed him]
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— see also done for at 2done
2
:
to do the cleaning and cooking for (someone)
-
Mrs. Jones does for the vicar now his wife's passed on.
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do good
— see 2good
do in
[phrasal verb]
1
do (someone) in
informal
a
:
to kill (someone)
-
They threatened to do him in if he didn't pay the money he owed them.
-
He's been so depressed lately that his friends are afraid he might do himself in. [=he might kill himself]
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:
to cause the death of (someone)
-
He struggled with lung disease for many years, but it was a heart attack that finally did him in.
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b
:
to cause the failure of (someone)
-
His inability to attract Southern voters is what finally did him in as a presidential candidate. [=he failed because he was unable to attract Southern voters]
-
a businessman who was done in by greed
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2
:
to make (someone) very tired
-
Working in the garden all day really did me in. = After working in the garden all day, I was/felt done in. [=exhausted]
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— see also done in at 2done
do it
informal
:
to have sex
-
They've kissed—but have they actually done it?
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do justice
— see justice
do out of
[phrasal verb]
do (someone) out of (something)
informal
:
to unfairly prevent (someone) from getting or having (something)
-
I've been done out of what was rightfully mine!
-
They did [=cheated] him out of his inheritance.
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do over
[phrasal verb]
1
do (something) over
US
:
to do (something) again
-
I made a mistake when I measured the window and I had to do it over (again).
-
If I had to do it (all) over again, I would have stayed in college.
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2
do (something) over
or
do over (something)
:
to decorate or change a room, house, etc., so that it looks very different
-
We're planning to do over the kitchen next year.
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3
do (someone) over
or
do over (someone)
British, informal
:
to attack and beat (someone)
-
He got done over by a gang of teenagers.
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do someone proud
— see proud
do the trick
— see 1trick
do up
[phrasal verb]
1
do up (something)
or
do (something) up
a
:
to decorate (something)
-
They did up the room in bright colors for the party. = The room was all done up in bright colors for the party.
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b
:
to adjust (something, such as your hair) in a particular way
-
She did up her hair in a ponytail.
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c
chiefly British
:
to wrap (something)
-
packages done up [=wrapped up] in paper and ribbon
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d
chiefly British
:
to repair (something)
-
do up [=fix up] old furniture
-
do up an old house
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2
do (someone) up
:
to dress (someone) up
:
to put attractive clothes, makeup, etc., on (someone)
-
She really did herself up for the party. = She was all done up for the party.
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3
do up
or
do (something) up
or
do up (something)
of clothing
:
to be fastened or to fasten (something) with buttons, a zipper, etc.
-
a dress that does up at the back = a dress that is done up at the back
-
She did up her dress.
-
buttons that do up easily = buttons that you can do up easily [=buttons that can be easily buttoned]
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do well
◊ If you would do well to do something, you should do it. You would do well to avoid him right now. [=you should avoid him right now] [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
◊ If you did well to do something, you were correct to do it. You did well to avoid him when he was in a bad mood. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
◊ If you did well to escape, survive, etc., you were lucky to escape, survive, etc. When the tornado hit, they did well to escape uninjured. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
do with
[phrasal verb]
do with (something)
:
to be helped by having (something)
-
I could (really) do with a cup of hot coffee right now! [=I could use a cup of coffee; I would like/appreciate a cup of coffee]
-
I could do with a little less criticism right now, if you don't mind!
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do without
[phrasal verb]
do without
or
do without (something or someone)
:
to not have (something)
:
to live, work, etc., without having (something)
-
If you can't afford a new car, you'll just have to do without (one).
-
I don't know how we ever did without computers.
-
I'd like to get a new car, but I can do without it for now.
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◊ The phrase can/could do without is often used to say that you do not like or approve of something. I enjoy traveling, but I can do without having to wait around in crowded airports. [=I don't like having to wait around] He was late again. That's the kind of selfish behavior I could do without. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
do your bit
— see 1bit
easy does it
— see 2easy
have to do with
1
or chiefly British
be to do with
a
:
to relate to (something)
:
to be about (something)
-
The problem has to do with fishing rights. = (chiefly Brit) The problem is to do with fishing rights.
-
“What does her husband do?” “I think it has something to do with computers.” = “I think it's got something to do with computers.” [=it involves computers in some way]
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b
:
to relate to or involve (someone)
-
That's your problem: it has nothing to do with me! = (chiefly Brit) It's nothing to do with me! [=it doesn't involve me in any way; it's not my problem]
-
You're wrong. It's got everything to do with you: you're legally responsible for what went wrong.
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2
:
to be involved in or in some way responsible for (something)
-
He claims that he had nothing to do with the accident. = He claims that he didn't have anything to do with the accident. [=that he was not involved in the accident]
-
He claims he wasn't involved, but I know he had something to do with it.
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3
◊ If you do not want to have anything to do with someone or if you want nothing to do with someone, you do not want to be involved with that person in any way. She thinks he's a liar and she refuses to have anything to do with him. [=she refuses to talk to him, to see him, etc.] After the way he's treated me, I want nothing (further) to do with him. = I don't want (to have) anything (further) to do with him. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
how do you do?
— see 1how
make do
— see 1make
nothing doing
— see 1nothing
— compare 2do
2 do
/ˈduː/
verb
does;
did;
doing
negative forms
do not
or
don't;
did not
or
didn't;
does not
or
doesn't
2 do
/ˈduː/
verb
does;
did;
doing
negative forms
do not
or
don't;
did not
or
didn't;
does not
or
doesn't
Britannica Dictionary definition of DO
[auxiliary verb]
1
a
— used before the subject in a question
-
Do you play the piano?
-
How well do you play the piano?
-
What did he say?
-
What does her husband do for a living?
-
When does the train leave?
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b
— used to form brief questions (called tag questions) that come at the end of a statement
-
You play the piano, don't you?
-
So you play the piano, do you?
-
Her husband works with computers, doesn't he?
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2
a
— used with not to form negative statements
-
I do not know. = I don't know.
-
I don't believe anything he says.
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b
— used with not to form commands
-
Do not lie to me! = (more commonly) Don't lie to me!
-
Don't touch the stove.
-
Don't be afraid. Everything will be all right.
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c
somewhat formal
— used before the subject in a statement after words like never, seldom, and rarely
-
Never did he see his native land again. [=he never saw his native land again]
-
Seldom do we experience such joy! [=we seldom experience such joy]
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3
— used to replace another verb or verb phrase
-
“May I come in?” “Yes, (please) do.”
-
You work harder than I do.
-
“Do you play the piano?” “No, I don't, but my sister does.”
-
He works hard and I do, too. = He works hard and so do I.
-
Don't touch the stove: if you do, you'll burn yourself!
-
She asked me to open the window, which I did. = What I did was (to) open the window when she asked me to.
-
(informal) “Can you finish it by tomorrow?” “Sure, boss, will do!” [=I will finish it by tomorrow]
-
(informal) “Can you finish it by tomorrow?” “Sorry, boss, no can do!” [=I can't finish it by tomorrow]
-
(Brit) “Are you going to the party?” “I might do.” [=I might]
-
(Brit) He can work hard and I can do too. [=I can too]
-
(Brit) Would you mind feeding the dog if nobody else already has done? [=if nobody else already has]
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4
a
— used to make a statement stronger
-
You really do look lovely today!
-
“It hurts!” “Well, I did warn you it would sting a little!”
-
I never did like him much.
-
Oh, do be quiet!
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b
somewhat formal
— used as a polite way to tell or urge someone to do something
-
Do come in and have a seat.
-
Do come and see us again soon.
-
Do be careful.
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— compare 1do
3 do
/ˈduː/
noun
plural
dos
3 do
/ˈduː/
noun
plural
dos
Britannica Dictionary definition of DO
[count]
informal
1
:
something that a person should do
— usually used in the phrase dos and don'ts
-
She told her daughter about the dos and don'ts of dating. [=about the things that she should and should not do when dating someone]
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2
US
:
a way of cutting and arranging a person's hair
:
hairdo
-
She was worried that the wind might mess up her do.
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3
:
a party or social gathering
-
We threw a big do for her after graduation.
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— compare 4do
4 do
/ˈdoʊ/
noun
or chiefly British
doh
4 do
/ˈdoʊ/
noun
or chiefly British
doh
Britannica Dictionary definition of DO
[noncount]
:
the first note of a musical scale
-
do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti
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