# do

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/do
Updated: 2026-07-09

## Senses

### 1. to perform an action

verb · CEFR A1

to perform an action, activity, or job.

For teachers: to carry out or perform an action, task, or obligation. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- I need to do my homework before I can go out with my friends.
- The research team must do a thorough investigation before they can publish the final results of the clinical trial.

Usage: Often used with general nouns like 'something', 'nothing', 'anything', or 'work'.

### 2. auxiliary for questions/negatives

verb · CEFR A1

a helper word used to ask questions or say 'no'.

For teachers: an auxiliary verb used to form the interrogative and negative moods in the simple present and simple past tenses.

- Do you like Italian food, or do you prefer spicy dishes?
- Why did the manager not mention the budget cuts during the morning briefing?

Usage: In questions, 'do' or 'does' comes before the subject. In negatives, 'do not' or 'does not' comes before the main verb.

Teaching tip: Remind students that 'do' carries the tense and person, while the main verb stays in the base form.

### 3. to be enough

verb · CEFR B1

to be enough or to be acceptable for a situation.

For teachers: to be sufficient, adequate, or acceptable for a specific purpose. Intransitive in this sense.

- You don't need a fancy dress; a simple skirt will do.
- While a full report is preferred, a brief summary of the findings will do for the preliminary meeting.

Usage: Often used with the modal 'will' or 'would'.

### 4. to clean or arrange

verb · CEFR A2

to clean, wash, or arrange something to make it look neat.

For teachers: to tidy, clean, or provide necessary maintenance for something.

- It is your turn to do the dishes after we finish dinner.
- She spent nearly an hour doing her hair and makeup before the awards ceremony began.

Usage: Common in fixed phrases like 'do the dishes' or 'do your hair'.

### 5. to progress or fare

verb · CEFR B1

to get along or make progress in a certain way.

For teachers: to fare or manage in a specified way, often regarding health or success.

- How is your sister doing after her surgery last week?
- The company is doing remarkably well despite the recent downturn in the global economy.

Usage: Usually followed by an adverb like 'well' or 'badly'.

### 6. to visit or tour

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to visit a place as a tourist and see the famous sights.

For teachers: to visit or tour a specific location, often as part of a planned itinerary.

- We plan to do three different museums while we are in London.
- They managed to do the entire Louvre in a single afternoon, though they felt exhausted by the end.

Teaching tip: This sense implies a quick or superficial visit, like 'doing' all of Europe in two weeks.

### 7. a party

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Informal

a party or a social event.

For teachers: a social gathering, party, or function. Primarily British English and informal.

- Are you coming to the office Christmas do on Friday night?
- The retirement do was a surprisingly lavish affair, held in the ballroom of a local hotel.

Usage: Often used with 'big' or 'work'.

### 8. a hairstyle

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a way of cutting or arranging your hair.

For teachers: a hairstyle or the arrangement of a person's hair. Informal clipping of 'hairdo'.

- I really like your new do; the shorter length suits you.
- She arrived at the gala with an elaborate do that must have taken hours to style.

## Examples

- I need to do my homework before dinner.
- The company decided to do business with a local supplier to reduce shipping costs and support the community.
- While the committee agreed on the necessity of reform, they struggled to decide who should do the actual drafting of the new policy guidelines.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.