adobo

noun

ado·​bo ə-ˈdō-bō  ä-ˈt͟hō-bō 

plural adobos

1

: a Philippine dish of fish or meat usually marinated in a sauce containing vinegar and garlic, browned in fat, and simmered in the marinade

2

: a spicy marinade used in Latin American cuisine and usually containing vinegar, garlic, and chili peppers

chipotles in adobo

3

: a seasoning mixture that typically includes ground dried garlic, ground dried onion, oregano, salt, and pepper

Examples of adobo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Let the rice sit, covered and off the heat, until the adobo is ready. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, The Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2025

The longganisa omelet is an ode to breakfast with its garlicky, homemade pork sausage, and the chicken adobo is zesty and flavorful. —Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025

His family roots in both Puerto Rico and Grenada play a role in Yardy Rum Bar's seasonal menu of flavorful bites like jerk chicken, curry lamb, and adobo pork sandwich. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025

Two pantry staples—a buttery can of refried beans and smoky chipotle chiles in adobo—deliver extra bold flavor. —Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appétit, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Spanish, "marinade," noun derivative of adobar "to arrange, prepare, cook, marinate," borrowed from Old French adober "to arm (a knight), prepare," from a- (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + -dober, borrowed from Old Low Franconian *dubban "to strike"; akin to Old Frisian dubba "to hit, knock" — more at dub entry 1

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for adobo

• bobo
• hobo
• lobo
• oboe