dodge

¹ American  

[doj] / dɒdʒ /

verb (used with object)

dodged, dodging

1. to elude or evade by a sudden shift of position or by strategy.

   to dodge a blow; to dodge a question.

   Synonyms:

   avoid

2. Photography. Also hold back. (in printing) to shade (an area of a print) from exposure for a period, while exposing the remainder of the print in order to lighten or eliminate the area (sometimes followed byout ).

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verb (used without object)

dodged, dodging

1. to move aside or change position suddenly, as to avoid a blow or get behind something.

2. to use evasive methods; prevaricate.

   When asked a direct question, he dodges.

   Synonyms:

   quibble, equivocate

noun

1. a quick, evasive movement, as a sudden jump away to avoid a blow or the like.

2. an ingenious expedient or contrivance; shifty trick.

3. Slang. a business, profession, or occupation.

Dodge ² American  

[doj] / dɒdʒ /

noun

1. Mary Elizabeth, 1831–1905, U.S. editor and author of children's books.

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dodge British  

/ dɒdʒ /

verb

1. to avoid or attempt to avoid (a blow, discovery, etc), as by moving suddenly

2. to evade (questions, etc) by cleverness or trickery

3. (intr) Leisure:Bell-ringing to make a bell change places with its neighbour when sounding in successive changes

4. (tr) photog to lighten or darken (selected areas on a print) by manipulating the light from an enlarger

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noun

1. a plan or expedient contrived to deceive

2. a sudden evasive or hiding movement

3. a clever contrivance

4. Leisure:Bell-ringing the act of dodging

Other Word Forms

• outdodge verb (used with object)
• undodged adjective

Etymology

Origin of dodge

First recorded in 1560–70; of obscure origin

Explanation

To dodge something is to avoid it. In dodge ball, players dodge the balls being thrown at them. Dodging is making quick, sudden movements, usually to avoid something. You have to move quickly to dodge a flower pot that's falling from a ledge. In football, running backs are good at dodging defensive players. Politicians do a lot of maneuvers and manipulations to dodge blame, and plenty of people dodge responsibility for something they're supposed to take care of. So any kind of evasion strategy is a dodge.

Example Sentences

"Research was silenced, controversial work was shelved and universities were able to dodge accountability," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

He can’t dodge 30 punches in a row.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

And if interviewers bristle at questions or dodge them, that could be a red flag.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

But plaintiffs are trying to dodge that law by arguing the platforms were negligent in how they designed their sites.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

The cats were just fast enough to dodge Idiptu's darting tongue and just nimble enough to stay out of reach of his sweeping arms.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Related Words

• ditch
• duck
• elude
• escape
• evade
• fend off
• shuffle
• sidestep
• skirt