dodo

Short definition: The word dodo refers to an extinct flightless bird that lived on the island of Mauritius, known for its heavy body and inability to fly, often used as a symbol of extinction caused by human impact.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the term dodo? This bird is one of the most famous extinct animals in the world and is often mentioned in history, science, and everyday language. A dodo was a flightless bird that lived on a small island in the Indian Ocean and had no fear of humans. Today, it is widely known as a symbol of extinction and irreversible loss. Below, each meaning is explained in a calm and natural way, with long definitions and realistic examples.

Forms: dodo (singular), dodos (plural)
Related: bird n., extinction n., wildlife n.
Syllable: do-do

1. (Noun) A flightless bird that once lived on Mauritius and became extinct after humans arrived.

   A dodo was a large, flightless bird native to the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It had a heavy body, short wings, and a large curved beak, making it unable to fly. Because it evolved without natural predators, the dodo showed little fear of humans. After people arrived on the island, hunting and introduced animals quickly drove the species to extinction.

   Illustrations show the dodo as a round-bodied bird with a large beak and short wings.
   The dodo disappeared only a few decades after humans settled on Mauritius.
   Many people are surprised to learn how quickly the dodo went extinct.

   Synonyms: extinct bird, flightless bird, island bird, lost species, vanished wildlife, historic bird, non-flying bird, native island bird, disappeared species, eradicated animal, extinct island bird, past wildlife
   Antonyms: living species, flying bird, modern wildlife, extant animal, surviving species, protected wildlife, airborne bird, common bird, thriving species, existing animal, resilient wildlife, conserved species

2. (Noun) An animal commonly cited as a classic example of human-caused extinction.

   The dodo is frequently used in science and education as a clear example of how human activity can wipe out a species. Overhunting, habitat destruction, and introduced predators all played a role. Its extinction happened quickly, leaving little time for protection or recovery. In this sense, the dodo represents a failure to recognize environmental limits.

   Teachers often mention the dodo when explaining human impact on ecosystems.
   The story of the dodo is a powerful lesson in conservation history.
   Many extinct species are compared to the dodo because of its well-known fate.

   Synonyms: extinction example, conservation warning, lost species symbol, environmental lesson, human-caused extinction case, historical extinction, vanished animal, cautionary species, ecological warning, disappeared wildlife, extinction icon, conservation reminder
   Antonyms: conservation success, recovery example, protected-species icon, thriving wildlife, biodiversity success, sustainable-use model, preserved species, environmental hope symbol, renewal example, recovery symbol, resilient population, safeguarded wildlife

3. (Noun) A symbolic term used to describe something that is completely outdated or gone forever.

   In everyday language, dodo is sometimes used figuratively to describe ideas, habits, or technologies that are no longer relevant. When something is called a dodo, it suggests it cannot return or be revived. This usage comes directly from the bird’s irreversible extinction. The tone is often informal and slightly humorous or critical.

   That old system is a dodo now that better technology exists.
   Printed maps became a dodo once smartphones became common.
   He joked that his outdated phone was already a dodo.

   Synonyms: obsolete thing, outdated item, dead concept, obsolete idea, thing of the past, extinct practice, outdated system, discarded method, abandoned approach, unusable relic, old-fashioned item, superseded concept
   Antonyms: modern innovation, current trend, active system, relevant idea, up-to-date method, modern technology, living concept, growing practice, useful tool, ongoing system, contemporary approach, emerging idea

4. (Noun) (By extension) A cultural symbol representing irreversible loss and human carelessness.

   Beyond biology, the dodo has become a powerful cultural symbol. It appears in books, cartoons, and discussions about environmental responsibility. In this sense, the dodo represents mistakes that cannot be undone. It reminds people that once something is lost forever, regret cannot bring it back.

   The cartoon used a dodo to symbolize irreversible environmental damage.
   Seeing the dodo often reminds people of extinction caused by humans.
   The dodo has become an enduring symbol of loss in popular culture.

   Synonyms: extinction symbol, loss emblem, environmental warning icon, cultural extinction symbol, vanished-nature icon, irreversible-loss symbol, conservation emblem, historical warning, moral symbol, ecological reminder, lost-world icon, cautionary emblem
   Antonyms: hope symbol, recovery emblem, renewal icon, conservation success, preservation symbol, resilience icon, sustainability emblem, future-oriented symbol, revival image, protection icon, positive ecological model, restoration symbol