cadge
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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to obtain by imposing on another's generosity or friendship.
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to borrow without intent to repay.
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to beg or obtain by begging.
verb (used without object)
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to ask, expect, or encourage another person to pay for or provide one's drinks, meals, etc.
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to beg.
noun
verb
noun
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a person who cadges
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informal engaged in cadging
Other Word Forms
- cadger noun
Etymology
Origin of cadge1
1275–1325; perhaps to be identified with Middle English caggen to tie, of uncertain origin
Origin of cadge2
First recorded in 1605–15; apparently variant of cage
Explanation
To cadge is to plead or beg for something. A hungry child might cadge an extra cookie from her dad while he's baking. When you cadge something, you wheedle or plead for it, manipulating someone into giving it to you. If you forget your lunch, you might have to cadge parts of your friend's meal, and if you don't have change for a parking meter, you might try to cadge some from a person walking by. Since the early 1800s, to cadge has meant "to beg," and while its origin is uncertain, it may come from cadger, "itinerant dealer" or "peddler."
Vocabulary lists containing cadge
The Time Machine
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Inquire Within: Synoynms for "Ask"
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The Odyssey
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Schwarzenegger made a pilgrimage to Washington to cadge more money from the government, but came home empty-handed.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2025
One recent morning, a man dropped by Mr. Mishurov’s farmyard office to cadge a bucket of corn for his hens.
From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 23, 2018
Like desperately cadge for approval, which is sad, because people send nice notes and I don’t write back to those.
From Slate • Mar. 21, 2017
Apparently this individual uses a variety of stories to cadge money, including claims of homelessness or a need to get to some distant city to see family.
From Washington Times • Feb. 14, 2017
When they served grilled cheese or chicken sandwiches for lunch, I would cadge extras from the children who hardly ever cleaned their plates.
From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
