to elude or evade by a sudden shift of position or by strategy.
to dodge a blow; to dodge a question.
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 ).
to move aside or change position suddenly, as to avoid a blow or get behind something.
to use evasive methods; prevaricate.
When asked a direct question, he dodges.
a quick, evasive movement, as a sudden jump away to avoid a blow or the like.
an ingenious expedient or contrivance; shifty trick.
Slang. a business, profession, or occupation.
to avoid or attempt to avoid (a blow, discovery, etc), as by moving suddenly
to evade (questions, etc) by cleverness or trickery
(intr) Leisure:Bell-ringing to make a bell change places with its neighbour when sounding in successive changes
(tr) photog to lighten or darken (selected areas on a print) by manipulating the light from an enlarger
a plan or expedient contrived to deceive
a sudden evasive or hiding movement
a clever contrivance
Leisure:Bell-ringing the act of dodging
First recorded in 1560–70; of obscure origin
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.
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
One caveat: The still working exception allows you to delay RMDs, not to dodge them completely.
From Barron's • Jun. 13, 2026
Like a striker attempting to weave around defenders in the box, the brothers have had to dodge and weave to stay upright and it has meant some tough decisions.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Claiming early to dodge a cut locks in a guaranteed reduction.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026
An officer had to dodge the vehicle to avoid being struck, according to the district attorney’s statement.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026
We dodge some shirtless guy who runs to catch a football sailing in the air.
From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas
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.
