dodger

[doj-er]

noun

1. a person who dodges.

2. a shifty person, especially one who persistently evades a responsibility, as specified.

   tax dodger; draft dodger.

3. a leafhopper.

4. a small handbill; throwaway.

5. Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.,  corn dodger.

6. Nautical.,  a shield, as of canvas, erected on a flying bridge to protect persons on watch from wind, flying spray, etc.

7. Australian.,  a large slice, lump, or portion of food, especially of bread.

dodger

/ ˈdɒdʒə /

noun

1. a person who evades or shirks

2. a shifty dishonest person

3. a canvas shelter, mounted on a ship's bridge or over the companionway of a sailing yacht to protect the helmsman from bad weather

4. archaic,  a handbill

5. informal,  food, esp bread

Word History and Origins

Origin of dodger¹

First recorded in 1560–70; dodge + -er ¹

Example Sentences

A prolific rail fare dodger who was caught without a train ticket more than 100 times has had his sentencing delayed after a judge raised concerns over the legal process.

From BBC

The Liberal Democrats are calling for fines of up to £1,000 for "headphone dodgers" who play loud music and videos on public transport.

From BBC

Experts say layoffs of about 7,000 IRS workers probably mean an end to plans to target rich tax dodgers and could spell disaster for revenue collection.

From Los Angeles Times

Park has been living in the country as what the military authorities consider a draft dodger.

From Los Angeles Times

Train ticket inspectors should treat deliberate fare dodgers differently to people who make genuine mistakes, the passenger watchdog has said.

From BBC

Related Words

• charlatan 
• con artist 
• crook 
• hypocrite 
• impostor 
• rascal 
• rogue 
• swindler 
• trickster