dodge

1 of 2

noun

ˈdäj 

1

: an act of evading by sudden bodily movement

2

a

: an artful device to evade, deceive, or trick

b

: expedient

dodge

2 of 2

verb

dodged; dodging

intransitive verb

1

a

: to move to and fro or from place to place usually in an irregular course

dodged through the crowd

b

: to make a sudden movement in a new direction (as to evade a blow)

dodged behind the door

2

: to evade a responsibility or duty especially by trickery or deceit

transitive verb

1

a

: to evade by a sudden or repeated shift of position

dodge tacklers

b

: to avoid an encounter with

celebrities dodging the media

2

: to evade (something, such as a duty) usually indirectly or by trickery

dodged the draft by leaving the country

dodged questions

Phrases

dodge a bullet or less commonly dodge the bullet

: to narrowly avoid an unwelcome, harmful, or disastrous outcome or occurrence

coastal towns dodged a bullet when the hurricane veered out to sea

Synonyms

Noun

• artifice
• device
• fetch
• flimflam
• gambit
• gimmick
• jig
• juggle
• knack
• play
• ploy
• ruse
• scheme
• shenanigan
• sleight
• stratagem
• trick
• wile

Verb

• duck
• jink
• sidestep
• slalom
• weave
• zigzag

Examples of dodge in a Sentence

Noun

It was just another dodge to get out of working.

just another dodge to get out of working in the yard

Verb

He dodged the first punch but was hit by the second.

She dodged through the crowds as she hurried home.

We dodged between the cars as we raced across the street.

They managed to dodge the reporters by leaving through the back exit.

She accused him of dodging his responsibilities as a parent.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Defenders of Google might argue that tax dodges help the company amass needed funds for future innovations. —IEEE Spectrum, 15 Dec. 2010

Reality check: Despite the dodges, Harris has stated some of her policy priorities — namely to boost security on the Southwest border, put more limitations on asylum, and bring down the costs of food and housing. —Alex Thompson, Axios, 3 Nov. 2024

Verb

Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd, the beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a Red Ryder Air Rifle. —Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 11 Dec. 2024

Thanks to a 56-yard game-winning field goal as time expired in the ACC championship game, the College Football Playoff selection committee dodged controversy and produced a bracket that is as fair as any of us could have expected. —Chuck Todd, NBC News, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1680, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing dodge

• dodge a bullet
• dodge the bullet
• dodge the draft

Kids Definition

dodge

1 of 2 noun

ˈdäj 

1

: an act of avoiding by sudden bodily movement

2

: a sly means of avoiding, deceiving, or tricking

just another dodge to get out of working

dodger noun

dodge

2 of 2 verb

dodged; dodging

1

a

: to move suddenly aside or to and fro

dodging through the crowd

b

: to avoid by moving quickly aside

dodge a blow

2

: evade sense 1

dodged the question

Biographical Definition

Dodge

biographical name

ˈdäj 

Mary Elizabeth 1831–1905 née Mapes ˈmāps  American author