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

Chipotle says that’s the goal of its new dip, which combines classic ranch with adobo pepper. —Jade Walker, CNN Money, 10 June 2025

The dipping sauce is made with adobo peppers, sour cream and herbs and spices, according to the company. —Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 9 June 2025

There’s a half-can of chipotles in adobo beneath a tinfoil hat in the back of the fridge. —Sam Sifton, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

These include Lamb Barbacoa + Caviar (lamb belly, banana leaf, adobo, cilantro, perilla leaf, and piña asada), various steaks and whole fish. —Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 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