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Definition do in British English

do verb

verb
/duː/

Do can be used in the following ways:

as an auxiliary verb, especially for forming questions and negatives in the simple present or simple past tense (followed by an infinitive without ‘to’): Did you enjoy the party?She does not understand. In conversation and informal written English the following negative short forms of the auxiliary verb are used: doesn’t, don’t, and didn’t.

as an intransitive verb that replaces or refers to an ordinary verb that was in a previous clause or sentence: You know as much as I do (=as much as I know).

as an auxiliary verb to form a question tag in the simple present or past tense (when there is no auxiliary or modal verb in the main clause): You teach English, don’t you? (where do is used in the main clause): They don’t believe us, do they?He did well, didn’t he?

as an ordinary transitive verb: He always did his duty.

as an ordinary intransitive verb: I need something sharp. That screwdriver will do.

When do is an ordinary transitive or intransitive verb, questions and negatives are formed by using the auxiliary verb do with it: What do you do in your spare time?He didn’t do his homework.

1

used before another verb for forming a question or a negative

Example

Do you drive?

Example

The Queen does not interfere in politics.

Example

What did the doctor say?

Example

Didn't they tell you I was coming?

Example

Max doesn't live here any more.

Example

Don't believe what he tells you.

Synonyms and related words
be do had someone/something done something...
1.1

used in a question tag at the end of a sentence when you are asking someone to agree with you, or when you are asking for information

Example

Young William played well, didn't he?

Example

You didn't see my keys lying around anywhere, did you?

Synonyms and related words
be do had someone/something done something...
2

used instead of repeating the same verb that was used earlier in the sentence, or in a previous sentence

Example

'You promised to come with me.' 'No I didn't.'

Example

She doesn't travel around as much as I do.

Example

I like Chinese food, but George doesn't.

Example

'I enjoyed our trip to Brighton.' 'So did I.'

Synonyms and related words
the active aspect auxiliary
Example

Your garden does look nice.

Example

My memory isn't very good, but I do remember what she was wearing.

Example

I did lock the door. I'm absolutely sure.

Synonyms and related words
be do had someone/something done something...
3.2

used when you are politely trying to persuade someone to do something

Example

Do stay and have dinner with us.

Example

Do be quiet!

Synonyms and related words
be do had someone/something done something...
4

to perform an action

4.1

to perform an action

Example

I hope you're sorry for what you've done.

Example

He shouldn't have thrown the bottle - it was a stupid thing to do.

Example

Is there anything I can do for you?

Synonyms and related words
do perform conduct
4.2

to take part in an activity

Example

I do yoga twice a week.

Example

Are you doing anything this weekend?

Example

While I'm in Norway, I want to do some skiing.

Example

There's nothing to do around here - it's really boring.

Synonyms and related words
join in participate involve
4.3

to take part in an activity with others

Example

Call me and we'll do lunch.

Synonyms and related words
join in participate involve
4.4

to perform or complete a job or a piece of work

Example

He's just doing a few jobs around the house.

Example

We'll all be doing exams next week.

Example

Have you done that essay yet?

Example

He did his PhD at Harvard.

Example

Who's going to do the cooking?

Synonyms and related words
do perform conduct
4.5

to perform a play, song, dance etc

Example

To start with, we'd like to do a song from our first album.

Synonyms and related words
amuse appear compère
4.6

to take action in order to deal with a situation

Example

Don't just stand there, do something!

Example

What is the government going to do about the growing crisis in the Health Service?

Synonyms and related words
do perform conduct
5

to clean something, or to make a place tidy

Example

I want to do the sitting room and the bedrooms before our guests arrive.

Example

A man comes in once a week to do the garden.

Example

Here, let me help you do the dishes.

Synonyms and related words
clean up clear out clean
6

to have a good or harmful effect

Example

It's amazing what a little encouragement can do.

Example

Frost can do a lot of damage.

Example

Can't you see what all this stress and uncertainty is doing to our family?

Example

The fresh air will do you good.

Example

How much harm did the oil crisis do to our economy?

Synonyms and related words
shape impact affect
7

used for talking about someone's health or their general situation

7.1

used for talking about someone's health or their general situation

Example

Sam! I haven't seen you in a while - how are you doing?

Example

Grandpa's not doing too well - we had to take him to hospital last night.

Synonyms and related words
health condition fitness
7.2

used for talking about how someone is progressing or how successful they are

Example

How's Monica doing? Has she finished her course yet?

Example

He did well in the exams.

Example

I'm afraid the business is doing badly - profits are right down.

Synonyms and related words
progress get on with get ahead
8

to study a subject

Example

'Which subjects are you doing at college?' 'I'm doing history and economics.'

Synonyms and related words
study learn train
9

to spend an amount of time doing something

Example

I did two years in the navy.

Synonyms and related words
do perform conduct
10

to provide a service or product for customers to buy

Example

Office Supplies do a nice little computer desk at £35.

Example

We do sandwiches and other snacks in the bar.

Synonyms and related words
provide supply equip
11.1

to prepare a particular kind of food

Example

I'm doing chicken for dinner tonight.

Synonyms and related words
bake beat blanch
11.2

to draw or paint a picture or decoration

Example

All these paintings of Venice were done by Canaletto.

Example

Who did the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel?

Synonyms and related words
draw paint sketch
12

used for saying how far someone or something succeeds in travelling

12.1

used for saying how far someone or something succeeds in travelling

Example

We did 32 miles that day, marching over rough mountain roads.

Synonyms and related words
go ride commute
12.2

used for saying what speed someone or something achieves

Example

The Toyota MR2 will do 130 mph.

Synonyms and related words
travel leave behind keep pace (with)
13

to copy someone's voice, manner, or way of moving, in order to entertain people

Example

You should see him do Elvis Presley.

Synonyms and related words
pose as mimic ape
14

used for talking about how something may change

Example

I wonder what the weather's going to do.

Example

It all depends on what interest rates do over the next twelve months.

Synonyms and related words
transition change turn into
15

to cheat someone

Example

You paid £50 for that rubbish? You've been done!

Synonyms and related words
shanghai rip off deceive
16

to use illegal drugs

Example

He doesn't drink or do drugs, but he smokes.

Synonyms and related words
abuse be jacked up come down
17

if the police do you for a crime, they catch you and you are punished

Example

He got done for driving without a licence.

Synonyms and related words
apprehend apprehension arrest
18

to visit a famous place as a tourist

Example

After we'd done the Pyramids we went back to the Cairo Museum.

Synonyms and related words
visit go around call explore go come
19

said when you think that something should not be considered acceptable

Example

It will never do to send a résumé without a cover letter.

Example

That will never do to abuse a child like that!

20

used for telling someone to go away

Example

When you ask for a refund they tell you to do one.

Definition do in British English

Related Words

Words related to do:

be apt to do something (phrase) be to do something (phrase) can-do (adjective) come to do something (phrase) derring-do (noun) do (verb) do (noun) do () do a bunk (phrase) do a job on (phrase) do a number on (phrase) do a runner (phrase) do a ton (phrase) do as you’re told (phrase) do away with (phrasal verb) do battle (phrase) do bird (phrase) do down (phrasal verb) do duty (phrase) do for (phrasal verb) do in (phrasal verb) do it (phrase) do likewise (phrase) do lunch (phrase) do me/us a favour (phrase) do no good (phrase) do not disturb (phrase) do out (phrasal verb) do out of (phrasal verb) do over (phrasal verb) do right by someone (phrase) do so (phrase) do someone proud (phrase) do someone wrong (phrase) do someone’s bidding (phrase) do someone’s dirty work (phrase) do something (phrase) do something to death (phrase) do the business (phrase) do the hard yards (phrase) do the honours (phrase) do the job (phrase) do the trick (phrase) do time (phrase) do to (phrasal verb) do up (phrasal verb) do well by someone (phrase) do with (phrasal verb) do without (phrasal verb) do you mind? (phrase) do you think...? (phrase) (do you) understand? (phrase) do your best/utmost (phrase) do your bit (phrase) do your homework (phrase) do your nut (phrase) do your own thing (phrase) do your stuff (phrase) do your sums (phrase) do your worst (phrase) do yourself justice (phrase) do’s and don’ts (phrase) (do) you mean...? (phrase) do-gooder (noun) do-it-yourself (noun) do-or-die (adjective) do-over (noun) the rounds (phrase) your best (phrase) wonders (phrase) elect to do something (phrase) fair do’s (phrase) go and do something (phrase) go to do something (phrase) had best do something (phrase) hen do (noun) how do you do? (phrase) how do you like...? (phrase) how do you mean? (phrase) I do believe (phrase) leaving do (noun) ne’er-do-well (noun) no can do (phrase) nothing-to-do () stag do (noun) that will do (phrase) to-do (noun) to-do list (noun) up and do something (phrase) well-to-do (adjective) what do you know (phrase) what do you mean? (phrase) what do you want? (phrase) what do/can you expect? (phrase) whatever you do (phrase) will do (phrase) you could do worse (phrase) (you) do the math (phrase) (you) do the maths (phrase)